Post by Vio on Feb 22, 2018 13:13:22 GMT -5
Shadow Walker Caine Marlus |
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Core Details
}“I couldn’t tell you where the epithet came from. To be honest, I don’t even like it – it’s too ominous…”~ Marlus
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Character Development
}“I’m not sure why, but since I left the Marines I feel I’ve become more focused? Maybe not. More aware.”~ Marlus
Personality
-~-Calm: Oft Lost in Thought
In general, Caine Marlus is a very calm person, maintaining a generally focused attitude towards the world. However, there are plenty a time when he can become lost in thought, wondering and pondering his next course of action or simply debating the philosophy of his actions with nobody but himself. Even he will admit it; his mind is often plagued by possibilities that he’d rather not think about, but finds himself dwelling on them all the same.
Somewhat Gloomy
Marlus’ life has taken a plunge and, with an unfortunate level of realism in his mindset, it has manifested in a certain aura of gloominess and foreboding about him. Though he always finds himself looking at the worst possible outcomes, he at least does so with a spark of idealism in mind – something instilled within him through a more recent friend. He’s become better at seeing the brighter side, but never does so without first taking account for the darker possibilities.
Visionary Vigilante
After abandoning the World Navy, Marlus has set his sights on greater, somewhat “revolutionary” goals. Though he does not see eye to eye with the cause of the Revolution, knowing full well that there are some truths about the world that are best left untold, he does still see that the World Government’s oppression of certain peoples is wrong. To that end, he is willing to stand up for the freedom and rights of others – particularly the rights of those who are heavily oppressed by those of higher political status.
Clever & Cunning
Always thinking ahead, Marlus has been described by his peers as strangely cunning when needed. His thoughtful nature leads him to find unusual ways of approaching challenges that others might see in a normal light, to variable degrees of success. However, unlike some, he’s more than willing to learn from his mistakes and rarely uses the same trick twice.
Appearance
-~-Body Shape, Facial Features, Etc.
Standing at 6’3” – approximately 190 cm – Caine Marlus is a relatively tall man, average proportions considered, with an average build defined by sleek musculature. A moderate skin tone defines a somewhat handsome, gently squared face, with a slightly lighter complexion given his Northern heritage and eyes of a hawkish yet pale green-yellow. A head of near shoulder-length, dark purple hair is defined by chalky violet ends and roots as deep as jet, with a naturally centered parting that forms a slight “curtain” fringe. Sharp features blent with gentler ones to give this man a rather unique face.
Outfit & Accessories
Marlus is not one for flashy outfits, rarely donning his Justice Coat save for on the most formal of occasions when he served the Marines. Now, his preferential attire consists of simple black trousers and a leafy green shirt, over which he sometimes wears a black, sleeveless tunic of sorts as climate demands. Black boots guard his feet, which fingerless black gloves – plus a dark leather bracer on his left forearm – cover his hands. He wears such extras out of comfort, rather than necessity. A light, leaf green sash binds the tunic about his waist when he does don it, but otherwise serves as a scarf.
Relationships
-~-Merle
The Gyojin who gave Marlus’ mind the final push to breaking away from the life he thought he knew. The two seem to have their differences – his gloom to her cheer – but nonetheless seem to get along decently. However, Marlus feels himself somewhat responsible for Merle’s predicament and, wishing for it to never happen again, finds himself acting as some sort of guardian angel. It’s a role he’s not sure he’s cut out for, and he’s not sure she understands it, but the two have been through fair ordeals.
Skills
-~-Arrowmaking
Marlus’ skills as a bowman have come with a need to be able to fletch new arrows to replace those that break or are otherwise lost to battle. He’s quite adept at crafting replacements, saving arrowheads when and where he can, and has even taken to crafting his own kinds of ammunition. Admittedly, he doesn’t have the expertise in the fields necessary to forge more unusual arrowheads.
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Combat Data
}“The issue with firearms is simple; they’re noisy and unreliable. I’ve learned to do with a bow and arrow what professional snipers can only dream of, though I still have a ways to go…”~ Marlus
Traits
-~-Inhuman Swiftness
Human Starter Trait #1
Marlus is built for speed and agility. With sharp reflexes, leg strength and a good stride, Marlus’ ability to run, jump and parkour is difficult – nigh impossible for the average person to match. Able to cover good distances in record time and reacting quickly to changes in terrain and positioning, saying he’s fleet of foot is an understatement.
Keen Eyesight
Human Starter Trait #2
Caine’s vision has been trained and honed through years of archery, and he already had good eyes to begin with. Often compared to a hawk in how he can pinpoint moving targets at a distance, this bowman’s ability to see into the distance only makes his skills with his favoured weapon more menacing to his opponents. Even at his bow’s best range, chances are he’s able to land a decent hit.
Inhuman Precision
600 X-Poinz, Developed Trait
With good eyesight came heightened accuracy. Marlus’ sniping skills – his marksmanship in general – are quite frightening to behold. Able to make shots that some would deem impossible, there have been those who’ve witnessed this man in action and sworn he was able to make his arrows chase his opponents down.
Fighting Styles
-~-Bueskyting (“Archery,” in Norwegian)
Class “D”, 200 X-Poinz (Free 125/125 Used)
Focus – Archery, Mobility, Trick Shots
Marlus has always favoured archery; many years of training and development have culminated in this style of marksmanship. Wielding little more than a bow and arrow, he’s perfected ways of making precision shots while on the move, wielding bow and arrow as an extension of his body in a way to rival swordsmen. The style’s most defining features are the seemingly impossible shots.
Aspects:–
- Gjennombore (“Pierce”)
Marlus has honed his precision to uncanny levels: Able to make the most of his shots when it counts, he has learned to place enough focus behind an arrow to make it achieve what the masses would consider impossible – the feat of piercing solid stone and steel with his shots.
Equipment:–
- Mørk Vinge (“Dark Wing”)
Rank 1 Weapon, 100 X-Poinz (Free 50/50 Used)
FiSt – Bueskyting
A longbow of unusual design and feature, crafted of durable timber the colour of ebony. This weapon’s design features the addition of twinned blades, akin to the curve of a katana in design, affixed to a unique frame around the grip. These provide Marlus a means of parrying and striking in close quarters. Due to their positioning, the blades don’t move when the bow is drawn.
Techniques:–
- Klynge Skudd (“Cluster Shot”)
Rank 1, 50 X-Poinz (Free)
FiSt – Bueskyting
Weapon – Mørk Vinge
Marlus plucks several arrows – between three and seven – from his quiver, notching them simultaneous. He then releases the arrows in a single shot, causing them to spread out in a cone as they fly to strike multiple enemies with diminished accuracy.- Gjennomtrengende Skudd (“Piercing Shot”)
Rank 2, 125 X-Poinz (Free)
FiSt – Bueskyting
Aspect – Gjennombore
Marlus notches an arrow and takes time to focus on his target, steadying his breathing and drowning out distractions. He then releases the arrow, sending it sailing towards its target with speed and precision capable of penetrating deep into solid stone and metal, or completely piercing through a target.- Innvirkning Skudd (“Impact Shot”)
Rank 1, 50 X-Poinz
FiSt – Bueskyting
Marlus nocks an arrow with a blunt, heavy head, designed to deliver concussive force as opposed to his usual piercing shots. Depending on external factors, the heads may or may not be replaced with tiny boxing gloves.- Brann Skudd (“Fire Shot”)
Rank 1, 50 X-Poinz
FiSt – Bueskyting
Using an arrowhead bound with burning tar and tinder, Marlus unleashes an incendiary shot that can cause flammable materials to ignite.
Rokushiki (六式 “Six Styles,” in Japanese)
Class “E”, 0 X-Poinz
Focus – Superhuman Abilities
As an ex-Marine, Marlus managed to learn of the art of Rokushiki, developing his skills while still a part of the World Navy’s forces. Though he mastered “Soru” and “Geppō” he has yet to learn any of the other techniques, and likely doesn’t plan on it despite understanding the fundamentals. He combines his use of Rokushiki with his archery style “Bueskyting” to strike enemies from unconventional angles and keep out of harm’s way.
Techniques:–
- Soru (剃 “Shave”)
Rank 2, 125 X-Poinz
FiSt – Rokushiki
By moving his legs rapidly, taking dozens of steps per second, Marlus is able to move at such speeds that he becomes invisible to the naked eye, only to appear somewhere else nearby in a split second.- Geppō (月歩 “Moon Step”)
Rank 2, 125 X-Poinz
FiSt – Rokushiki
Kicking against the air itself, Marlus can propel himself decent distances, performing parkour techniques without anything solid to strike against. His kicks simply compress the air beneath his feet.
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Background
}“I used to think the World Government was right, but if this kind of thing – this discrimination and prejudice against other peoples of the world is what they call ‘right’, then I’m more than willing now to stand for what’s ‘wrong’ in their eyes.”~ Marlus– Caine Marlus was born in the Kingdom of Lyneel, living a relatively normal and comfortable life for most of his childhood until the care of mother and father. Nothing really interesting happened to him until he became a teenager, wherein he first took up archery. Much like his father, he took to such a thing like a duck to water and soon found himself gaining proficiency with such a tool. His love of bowmanship only grew alongside his skill, to the point where, at sixteen years of age, he was matching the skill level of experienced archers several years senior.
– Still young, but showing prowess beyond the norm, Marlus found himself entering an archery tournament to prove his worth against the best the North Blue had to offer. Here the young archer’s skills were shown to the many, impressing – though also angering – various bowmen and women from across the sea. Sailing through the preliminary rounds and knocking out some tough competition, Marlus met his match in the quarter finals. Ewan, another youth from the Pikt Archipelago just one year older, would give him his biggest challenge yet.
– In the end, despite round after round of equalling one another’s marksmanship, Marlus claimed victory by little more than a quarter of an inch. But despite his victory, Marlus’ next round was his last. His opponent, a much wiser and more impressive bowman, did what the youth had thus far thought a mere myth – he had split the boy’s own arrow. Bested, but by no means disappointed, Marlus set himself new objectives – new skills picked up by observing his competition. His archery repertoire was only set to grow.
– It was by the tournament’s end that Marlus was approached by a Marine Captain, and that would be the next step on this young man’s adventure. Enlisted into the World Navy, Marlus found himself progressing through the ranks at a relatively normal pace, making friends and rivals along the way. His first major participation in combat was in the defence of his own homeland of Lyneel, in which his speediness and sharp eyes helped secure an advantage for the naval forces.
– Promoted to a CO position thanks to his efforts demonstrating leadership, tactics and skill during that confrontation, newly appointed Ensign Caine would find himself stationed somewhere quite coincidental for the foreseeable future – a small naval outpost in the northernmost reaches of the Blue known as Fort Connery, the World Navy’s “Beacon of Hope” for the Pikt Archipelago. Here, Marlus met with an old friend, Ewan, who held a similar role among the archipelago as a member of their local police force. Though the scenery of the land was stunning, the amount of action the navy saw was minimal. Occasional skirmishes on the waters beyond and pursuit of criminals through the towns were about all that ever happened.
– It was during his years spent on Pikt that Marlus teamed up with Ewan and a small unit of seamen to hunt down one of the land’s biggest problems of the time – poachers who sought the rare breeds encountered only on the isles. After a few days of travel and tracking, the unit found a trail leading into an ancient ruin known as the Crystal Floor due to its otherworldly architecture. Here, signs of disturbance were harder to track, but the archer’s keen eyesight and Ewan’s own local knowledge helped them proceed deeper into the ruins. They found their quarry – a poaching party – but the prey had been prepared. In the strange reflections and darkness, the law enforcers had unwittingly set off a tripwire alarm.
– A chaotic skirmish between the law and the lawless provoked further intrigue by the local fauna, drawing in the denizens of Crystal Floor to feed. Assailed from all angles by various creatures known as “Stone Hides” – their mineralised flesh protecting them from blade, arrow and bullet alike – both poachers and lawbringers were faced with a difficult opponent. However, it was when a much larger creature entered the fray that things turned terrifying. Cornered and with injured men, Marlus had to steel himself against the hulking ape-like creature as it roared and barreled towards them. He nocked an arrow, drew back the string, focused. Marlus and his squad had survived the ordeal. The bowman had made the impossible shot, piercing stone-like flesh with a mere arrow to fell the territorial beast and secure their escape. The men he had taken with him commended him for his bravery in the face of danger, leading him to another promotion. Now, Lieutenant Caine was second-in-command of Fort Connery, beneath Captain Verde.
– Later into his career, now having developed some knowledge of Rokushiki – specifically Soru and Geppō – Lieutenant Caine ended up called to arms when a fleet of Revolutionary Army ships was sighted crossing the North Blue. Leaving just a skeleton crew in charge of Fort Connery, Verde and Marlus joined the fray aboard the Battleship Zophiel, entering into a brutal naval battle that lasted through day and night, costing both sides many lives. Marlus himself received injury, but it was his Captain who would end up losing an arm to that conflict. Reinforcements were the turning point – the Revolutionaries fled, licking their wounds while the Marines called off any pursuit. The damage to both sides was immense.
– Years passed. Marlus’ efforts continued and he received promotion to Captain of a mobile task force, command of the Zophiel bestowed upon him, and would later be stationed on the Grand Line. The Sabaody Archipelago, eight months after the arrival of the Eleven Supernovas, was now under tighter security than ever. Many a pirate crew chasing the dreams of the Worst Generation found themselves caught in a net by the many Marine units stationed there. But it wasn’t this that angered Marlus. Slavery existed, and the Marines couldn’t do a thing about it – Tenryūbito would descend from Mariejois to purchase new slaves and Marlus was forever forced to turn the other cheek.
– Finally, with the number of fledgling pirate crews reaching Sabaody showing a temporary drop, Marlus and many other Captains were returned to their home seas to continue their service to the World Government. But the archer was seeing things in a different light now. He was conflicted, conscience bouncing back and forth. Everything he had strived for – what he thought the Navy was all about – was made null and void by the Celestial Dragons. Marlus’ new story was about to begin, he just required a catalyst…
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X-Poinz Earnings
}“It’s been… quite a turbulent journey thus far. We’ve only taken the first step.”~ MarlusMiscellaneous:–
- Starter X-Poinz
+300 X-Poinz- Old System – Senior Package
+500 X-Poinz
The Rise of the Ravens:–
- A Kingdom of Conscience!
Jreum Island, North Blue
+160 X-Poinz- A Conflict of Interest!
Sedna, North Blue
+210 X-Poinz- A Sign of Trouble!
Pikt Archipelago, North Blue
+110 X-Poinz- A Clash of Ideals!
Pikt Archipelago, North Blue
+20 X-Poinz
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Trivia
}“I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about?”~ Marlus
- Marlus’ first name was the screen name of a friend of mine I made while playing Mabinogi, whose character was also focused on archery.
- Marlus’ themes draw inspiration from Robin Hood, John “Mad Jack” Churchill – the only British soldier to have felled an enemy with a longbow during World War II – and takes a darker theme from the mannerisms and works of Edgar Allen Poe.
