Xavier Darnai
New Customer
Networking
Posts: 49 
Marital Status: Married
Other Half: "She's a blood sucking corporate type."
Quotes: "Do poslednego vystrela."
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Post by Xavier Darnai on Feb 8, 2014 8:56:20 GMT
A MEMO FOR THE PLAYERS
Xavier Darnai is an identity of the character that I refer to as 'the Operative'. He is a character with an excessive amount of history, but the vast majority of his history is not a matter of public record; far more so than most would consider the idea of 'the Masquerade'. While the Operative is a vampire, he wasn't always, in fact that is a very recent development for him, only having happened within the last few months. But well prior to his turning, he understood the power of secrecy far better than most vampires he met. Their willful disregard of their secrecy lead him to resent them even. To this day, there are very few that he trusts with any aspect of his life. Though he has a great deal of training, resourcefulness, and even ability, the list of people who are aware of the information that follows is exceptionally small. He will go through great lengths to hide his nature from even the most capable of detection methods.
As such, information will be coming in waves. I intend to list his capabilities to a reasonable degree, but that can take a lot of space. Nearly twenty years of active play will do that to a character. Similarly, some people may be familiar with Vampire: the Masquerade. It is worth noting that while I do use it as the backdrop for Xavier's vampirism, it was chosen to blend in with the characters he knew in his history that were already vampires. I do not expect others to use the same lore in his presence. Many types of vampires can exist. Though I do use the V:tM creature type, and a good deal of their political backdrop [ I find it fascinating ], the extended lore for World of Darkness is not something I feel the need to make use of. Below is a list of the individual abilities, merits, weaknesses, and flaws that Xavier has himself. They are not unique to all V:tM Clans, or even all Tzimisce. A link to the history of the Tzimisce Clan is also available.
If you have questions, by all means, ask. A list of his capabilities as a human is not likely coming any time soon. They are extensive, and difficult to detail into a readable format. |
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Xavier Darnai
New Customer
Networking
Posts: 49
Marital Status: Married
Other Half: "She's a blood sucking corporate type."
Quotes: "Do poslednego vystrela."
|
Post by Xavier Darnai on Feb 8, 2014 8:56:47 GMT
Much like all vampires, Clan Tzimisce share many of the same attributes; they require the consumption of blood to live, they can heal from otherwise mortal wounds, they burn in daylight, and die when burned or beheaded. Many of them do not-- and cannot --eat normal food, as it cannot be digested by their bodies; it tastes like ash on their tongues, and sickens them right away. They are stronger, faster, and more agile than a human, and much more durable despite their other weaknesses. Many Tzimisce use their gifts to shape their bodies into the unnatural beasts within. Xavier does not subscribe to this practice.
Disciplines
Auspex [++---] has heightened Xavier's senses, effectively doubling the clarity and range of sight, hearing, and smell. While his taste and touch have not been extended, they are far more accute. He can taste the hint of liquor in a victim's blood, or feel the slight give of a board that conceals a hollow space in the floor. As needed, he may magnify his senses at will, sustaining the heightened focus for as long as he requires. Were it not for his exceptional level of concentration [See Merits], this could leave him susceptible to distraction. Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells can present a power while a Vampire is relying on Auspex, especially from unexpected stimuli such as a sudden flood of light, or thunderclap, which could blind or deafen them for hours.
Needless to say he does not rely on heightened Auspex for longer than is absolutely necessary.
Celerity [+----] allows control over Xavier's reflexes and movement, giving him speed that could cause those without the gift to move in slow motion by comparison. In the time it might take for even the fastest gun to draw and fire, Celerity could allow them to draw, fire at two targets, and reload in the same time. In combination with well honed reflexes brought by natural talent and training, this discipline elevates Xavier's reaction times to the common myths of many vampires, albeit a young one.
Due to the nature of the discipline, it would be quite obvious to anyone who witnessed the display of speed that it is unnatural. As such, he does not rely on it except in cases of dire emergency, or without witnesses.
Fortitude [++---] creates a sense of durability within a vampire that possesses the discipline that extends beyond the constitution that allows other vampires to shirk off most normal damage. While Xavier's training offered a level of stamina and resilience towards most damage, Fortitude grants him the ability to brush off injury with little effort, and can even help against threats that even vampires fear, such as fire, extended falls, or even sunlight.
Because of its passive nature, Fortitude is not something that Xavier feels the need to restrict, however it will often lead to a situation where he exaggerates his own injury in order to continue the masquerade of appearing mortal. By the same token, this overreaction also affords him the ability to seem all the more imposing when he wishes to intimidate someone that has harmed him by refusing to react at all in the proper moment.
Vicissitude [+++++] is a trademark discipline of the Tzimisce, and few outside of the Clan know of it at all, and Xavier relies on it in ways that most of the Clan do not. It allows him to shape and change flesh, muscle, and bone, even heal or mend injury if he so chooses. The changes of his Vicissitude are capable of being undone by a more powerful Tzimisce, but they are otherwise permanent. Though the discipline can be horrific in its effect, in order to perform the craft Xavier must make contact with the flesh he is shaping, and must physically sculpt the shape as if he was molding clay.
Xavier has mastered several forms of Vicissitude, allowing him to perform the following tasks.
+ Malleable Visage: In a bind or hurry, the use of Vicissitude will aid in a disguise or change of his form. It is a good guiding tool for flesh and bonecraft, but it is hardly as precise a tool.
+ Fleshcraft: This allows him to make many changes to his body, or the bodies of others. Height, build, voice, facial features, skin tone, hair color, eye color, and more, but only within the skin, fat, cartilage, and muscle of a body.
+ Bonecraft: Permanent change in the skeletal structure. This can be used to create horrible creatures of unfathomable shapes, or even restoring a crippled limb. Either way, if not performed in tandem with fleshcrafting, it is excruciating.
+ Horrid Form: Tzimisce can be the things of nightmares, and with the use of Horrid Form they can bring those nightmares to the front. Each Tzimisce's monstrous form is a little different, but they are all preternaturally tall and muscular, and Xavier's is... a special brand of disturbing.
+ Blood Form: The nightmares do not stop at the monstrous beast he can physically become. Tzimisce have mastered more than flesh and bone, but blood as well. His mastery allows him to convert some or all of his body to a sentient liquid state. For reasons of severe vulnerability, he does not use this form without severe reason.
Merits
- Acute Senses: Xavier's sense of sight and hearing were both exceptionally sharp even prior to his turning, but in combination with his Auspex, they can rise to an almost superhuman level of acuity.
- Concentration: Xavier has the ability to focus his mind and shut out distraction and annoyances. Even in swirling chaos, loud noises, strobe lights, or other factors do not sway his intended attentions.
- Eat Food: The unnatural will of being that Xavier had before becoming a vampire allows him to eat, even taste food without it turning to ash on his tongue. Food will not sustain him, and he cannot be intoxicated by consuming alcohol or drugs, but he often uses his capability to eat to hide his nature from those who know his kind cannot eat. Unfortunately, he cannot digest what he consumes, and will eventually need to remove it from his stomach.
- Iron Will: Determined and resolute, with a broken psyche that often allows him to see through the haze of mental control, Xavier is exceptionally difficult to affect by mind-altering magics or disciplines. Similarly, his will is so strong that the ties of an elder vampire-- such as his sire --over him are useless, and he cannot be bound by blood to anyone.
- Nine Lives: Xavier Darnai is very hard to kill. Be it fate, or something else, he has come closer to Final Death as anyone can get and still survive. Like the proverbial cat, Xavier seems to have had nine lives, surviving what should have killed him even before he had been turned. If anyone was keeping score, they would probably say he has already used up three of them.
Weaknesses
- Fire: Like so many of the undead, Tzimisce are overly susceptible to fire. What could simply cause a human discomfort could turn Xavier to ash if not extinguished quickly.
- Beheading: Without the head, the vampire's body dies, and without the body, the head withers. If his head is detached fully, Xavier would meet Final Death. If it is not fully detached however...
- Torpor: Tzimisce enter a state of forced hibernation if the wounds that they suffer are severe, or if their heart is pierced by a wooden stake. This deep sleep is longer the older they are, or the more severe the wounds. Torpor can only be broken by feeding the body of the vampire, and waiting for its wounds to heal.
- True Faith: Many myths are held about vampires; simple holy water will burn, or crosses will frighten, garlic will chase them off, and silver will burn their bodies. While it is the case for many, for the most part these are just that when it comes to the Tzimisce. With the exception of a true believer. One who has true faith in their holy relic can indeed repel a vampire of weaker will, burn them with holy water, or harm them with blessed silver. These relics are specific to their faith, however. A Catholic with a Star of David will fail no matter how strong their belief is in the cross. Garlic, however, does not enter into the equation despite their faith.
- Anchoring: As a Tzimisce, he must rest each night surrounded by several handfuls of soil from a place that was important to him as a mortal. If he does not sleep with this soil nearby, he will be unable to rest and find himself distracted the following day, even to a level of breaking his normal concentration.
Flaws
Dark Secret: Unknown to all but one other, Xavier's Embrace was of his own doing. His sire was kidnapped and locked away, tortured for days on end, and fed only enough to keep him alive until it was time for Xavier to be given the man's blood. To this day his sire is locked up in that same way until Xavier has decided what will come of Ivar the Faceless. If others of his Clan discovered what he had done, he would be hunted by all Tzimisce. Ivar's men would also bring a world of hell down on Xavier's head if it was discovered that he was the one responsible for the man's disappearance.
- Dark Fate: Plagued by nightmares of what his future holds, Xavier knows that he will find a horrific end. He does not know what prompted the nightmares, or the exact details of what this fate will be the result of, but he knows that it will be the end of his life. These nightmares occasionally leave him unable to rest through the day, leaving him distracted that evening. Despite what Xavier knows his fate to be, he moves towards it readily, freed by the knowledge of what waits for him.
Familiar Identity: Thanks to a very public life at one point, and other circumstances outside of his control, Xavier's face is very recognizable. This can create a situation where he is found unable to move without notice, or be confused for someone else and drawing attention to his actions.
- Sleeping With The Enemy: Xavier has an intimate relationship and secret marriage with Kalia Morgan, a member of the Tremere clan whom are hated with a vile fervor by the rest of the Tzimisce. This relationship is kept exceptionally private, as are their Clans. If this relationship was discovered, it could cost either of them their lives, or worse.
- Vengeful: If Xavier finds himself on the receiving end of something he deems uneven, it will become his driving focus to do everything he can to settle the score. The level of obsession will cloud him to other opportunities if he is mired in his attempts to collect the debt, and he will sacrifice nearly everything to keep his plans in tact.
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Xavier Darnai
New Customer
Networking
Posts: 49
Marital Status: Married
Other Half: "She's a blood sucking corporate type."
Quotes: "Do poslednego vystrela."
|
Post by Xavier Darnai on Feb 8, 2014 8:57:24 GMT
Experiment
Technowolf Initiative In the winter of '99, Xavier Darnai had an altercation with a woman he was courting at a bar that he frequented. After things grew heated, he decided to leave. However he was far beyond the legal intoxication limit, and on his way out of the city he was involved in a deadly accident that nearly cost him his life. Unknown to him at the time, he was intentionally forced off of the road with the hopes of using his body for medical experimentation. A research company with a reputation in the scientific community for what could be considered 'Grey Science' named Acrid Medical needed subjects to test a possible method of combating what was silently perceived as the 'Vampire menace'. Dubbed the Technowolf Initiative, the subjects were fitted with various physical augmentations with the hopes of recreating werewolves through mechanical means instead of the supernatural. Xavier was one of their prototype subjects.
Implementation
Initially, seven operations were performed on Xavier Darnai, each providing another piece of the mechanical adjustments that would eventually fill the requirements of the project. However, he escaped before the whole list of operations could be completed. Listed below are the operations he underwent as part of the Technowolf Initiative. [/div][li style="text-align:justify;"] Left Leg: Amputated from just above the knee, a prosthetic replacement was installed. This prosthetic ties in to his vascular system, feeding through the synthetic adrenal gland in his abdomen. When flooded with the modified adrenalin, the leg was intended to mimic the change from a human limb to a werewolf's Crinos or War form in shape and capability.[/li]
[li style="text-align:justify;"] Right Leg: As with his left, the right leg was replaced at the same height and connected to the adrenalin gland and modified muscle to offer the same mechanical change capability to provide proper balance, significantly improved power, and faster movement.[/li]
[li style="text-align:justify;"] Left Arm: Surgically removed from the shoulder on, including the shoulder blades and several strengthened muscles in the chest. Vascular routing also fed the limb into the adrenal gland in order to provide a sudden bulking and clawed hand. The hydraulic capability within the limb was also significantly stronger than his natural limb.[/li]
[li style="text-align:justify;"] Bioengineered Heart: Due to the severe changes to his vascular system and the strain of the mechanical limbs that had been installed, a stronger heart needed to be implanted in order to prevent heart failure every time the synthetic adrenalin began pouring through his system. With genetically reinforced valves and four additional chambers, his new heart was able to pump blood twice as fast. This created an irregular heart beat, as well as allowing for a faster metabolism.[/li]
[li style="text-align:justify;"] Adrenal Gland: Implanted into his abdomen, a bridged connection between the left and right adrenal glands was connected to the vascular system. Functioning as a causeway for the 'fuel' that powered the mechanical shift in his limbs, as well as a filter for various toxins that could enter the blood system. Running off the body's own electrical current until a natural release of the hormone heightened its activity, it was able to produce enough adrenalin to maintain the hydraulic pressure needed by the prosthetic limbs to retain their 'shifted' state.[/li]
[li style="text-align:justify;"] Chest Plating: In order to maintain the systems implanted in the body and perform routine checks on the genetically engineered heart without risking frequent sutures, metal plating had been installed in all of the test subjects chests that could be easily removed without requiring surgery. While still requiring a sterile environment for removal, it allowed the surgeries to be performed in stages instead of all at once, reducing the risk of loss of test subjects even if it did not wholly eliminate the risk.[/li]
[li style="text-align:justify;"] Vascular Reinforcement: What did remain of the test subject's natural body required additional reinforcement in order to survive the strain of high blood pressure and additional chemicals. Major arteries were given preventative stents to reduce risk of collapse or damage and prevent clotting by chemically altered platelets.[/li][/ul]
Modification
Shortly after the original surgeries, it became evident to Xavier and an ally that the toll the total system was taking on his body would kill him in very short order. Because of this issue, it was decided that the first order of business was a way to expend the excess adrenalin produced by the synthetic gland in his body. Because neither of the men could fully be aware of the extent of the changes without performing a vivisection which they were not certain Xavier would survive, other options were looked to instead. Nothing could be done about the heart or adrenalin gland, and the changes to his vascular system could not be undone. Instead a series of surgeries were performed to replace the prosthetic limbs that had been installed.
Modular connection plates were put in place at the end of his legs, costing another inch of actual flesh, but these allowed for venting of the adrenalin when he did not wish for the forced change due to anger or heightened states of awareness brought on by combat or other dangers. An added bonus of this connection plate was the ability to replace the limbs that had been attached by Acrid Medical with replacements, offering for a level of study and upgrade on what they had done to him. The first order of business was light weight and durable replacements. There was little that could be done for the electrical susceptibility of the body, so non-computerized limbs were required.
Studying the undoubtedly advanced prosthetic pieces he had been 'given' by Acrid Medical, he was able to begin to replicate the process, allowing for what he eventually referred to as his 'Travel Variant'. A comparatively simple model that would store the vented adrenalin, allowing for a feedback into his system in situations where he felt the need to move faster, hit harder, and endure more. The 'Travel Variant' became his default, and the original 'Shift Variant' became one that was stored away for memory, research, and eventual improvement.
Because of the nature of the attachment, Xavier's left arm is significantly stronger than the right, it provides the torque necessary to lift four hundred pounds on its own with minimal strain to the rest of his body, and can apply two thousand pounds of pressure combined across all joints. It has taken him many years of practice, but he has learned to apply the proper amount of pressure when dealing with smaller objects. As such he is able to hold a glass in his left hand, but will occasionally shatter it.
Current State
The surgeries performed by and because of the Technowolf Initiative were not his last. Knowing that he was in a state of health that required his transition to Vampirism, Xavier saw to several additional adjustments prior to being turned so the installations would not be forced out by the forced healing of the beast's kind. Listed below are all the adjustments that have been made to his prosthesis at this date. - Modular Connection: The mechanical bindings of his legs and arm have been fitted to allow for easy exchange and removal by using a very specialized key. Short of using this key, they would have to be ripped from his body, which would require more effort than it would to sever them further up on his physical body.
- Improved Assembly: Along with the mechanical bindings, and slimmer components, the exposed portions of his prosthetic limbs and connections are significantly reinforced.
- Mechanical Lung: The result of an assassination attempt that allowed him to go into hiding, a mechanical lung was transplanted in place of his right lung. The lung itself has an on and off switch which can be reached from inside his chest that allows the device to be turned on and mimic the sound of breathing, or turned off when it is not needed.
- Pace Maker: Within the flesh on either side of his heart is a series of contact pads connected to a miniature control switch. Though the switch must be accessed internally, it can be rotated through three different heartbeats.
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Xavier Darnai
New Customer
Networking
Posts: 49
Marital Status: Married
Other Half: "She's a blood sucking corporate type."
Quotes: "Do poslednego vystrela."
|
Post by Xavier Darnai on Feb 8, 2014 8:57:37 GMT
Monster
Strakhznakov
Even before Acrid Medical had been able to get their hands on him, and well before he had made the choice to become a vampire, the man known as Xavier Darnai was a deadly man. In public he was an industrialist, but behind the veil of secrets, he was a hyper lethal killer. Specific details on this are... excessive.
Ask if you have questions. |
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