Penny for your thoughts? No? Have a nickel.
Individual Character's full name: Vedun "Ved" Etienne il'Muri (allegedly)
Alias/ Nickname/ Code name: Fox, Hex, The Romani, Warlock, Zingaro, and countless aliases / false identities
Gender: Male
Age: Late 20's, Early 30's. Who's to say? Well, it's a bit easier to pass for 30's than 20's now but then again he always looked older when he was younger.
Date of Birth: 4/1
Birthplace/ Home/ Place of origin: Georgia (allegedly), England (allegedly), or the Ukraine (allegedly)
Nationality: American, British, or Ukrainian
Ethnicity/ Cultural Heritage: Roma/Romany with Hungarian, Italian, and other Eastern European
AppearanceHair color and style: Known to change but commonly dirty blond / auburn. Short to tossled/messy.
Skin Tone: Tan, ruddy
Eye Color: Green (allegedly)
Height: 5'10" to 6'4". Might have lifts.
Build: Strong, toned, muscled.
Visible mutation: n/a
Scars/ Tattoos/ Piercings: Emotional scars? Certainly!
Other features: Frequently changes appearance for aliases or disguises
Everyday clothing style: It can vary from rockstar-chic to athletic to casual to professional
Uniform: Has a uniform for special ops missions
Sleepwear: Varies on current activities
Miscellaneous clothing: Rings, bracelets, watches, chains, even hair pins, but often coins on hand
CharacterPersonality: Ved loves people but doesn't trust them. He loves to gather a group, have a good time, and then leave them behind. He learned long ago people will hurt you, leave you, and use you. He's certain to do so before someone can do it to him. He's not a mean, cruel person but is not above putting himself before others. He'll steal and even maim, though he tends to avoid killing. Bodies leave a trail after all. Better he leave you with a grin on your face after a long pleasurable night and your wallet missing. Recent experiences haven't changed him much, but it does seem he's more willing to stick his neck out to help people than any wise rogue should want...
Hobbies/ Interests: Magic, music, dancing, weight lifting, the gym, boxing, and good drink.
Job or part time job and description: Commonly poses as a Professional Gambler, Investment Advisor, or Fitness Trainer but also Grifter, Thief, Con Artist.
Fears/ phobias/ concerns: People (who will hurt, use, abuse him), Adapted (who will leave him without his Luck), and Bees (he's allergic)
Special talents: Ved was raised amongst his family and "family", the Roma/Romany. He learned to pick a pocket before he could form full sentences. He's a master of sleight of hand and thievery with some skill at cat burglarly and picking locks. As he grew older (and wasn't very popular) he found a joy in magic: stage magic and more complex sleight of hand/tricks. Later he spread his education out a bit to confidence games and other con artistry. He learned to box eventually, became quite skilled as many Roma box and practice various forms of fisticuffs. He's learned a few different styles from paramilitary organizations while always willing to play dirty. He's an excellent shot, very good at throwing small objects and nearly anything while pretty good with an actual gun. His varied skills have taught him to be prepared to fight in and with anything in his environment.
MoralityGood/ bad/ neutral/ other: True Neutral to Chaotic Neutral. Ved cares about himself first and foremost. He wants to have a good time, but ultimatley knows others will hurt or betray him so he'd rather do the deed first. He's perfeclty willing to lie, steal, and cheat, even harm another. However, he's not particularly aiming for malevolence or violence, but somtimes they happen.
MutationsSuggestion Ved has a talent that all in his line certainly envy: suggestion. He can induce suggestions in others through an aura he generates of psychic energy. Unfortunately, it doesn't work through simple telepathy (which he doesn't have) or even his voice (maybe one day). Instead he must either touch a person (or their clothing) directly or they must touch the aura he's left on an object. The aura is invisible though empaths can usually sense its presence.
The suggestion works best when set up in a deceptive manner or in line with what Ved is already doing/acting/suggesting aloud. This helps him skip lines, get access to bars or contents, convince you to give him a ride, etc. However, it can also be used to make you want to take a nap, fall, step under a ladder, grab a knife wrong, trip over a chair, etc. It could be used to encourage someone to go to a particular store, drive their car the wrong way down a road, etc.
CharmVed also has a powerful charm to him that extends beyond the natural. It endears others to him, exerting a subtle influence to incline you to believe what he says and trust him. It certainly aids any suggestions he makes directly, but also simply helps him get what he wants in life. The more resistant a person is to the idea or Ved (especially if they know of his abilities) the less likely this subtle charm works. It sure doesn't hurt when you want to skip a line or get a free drink!
Strengths:The real strength is versaility. Ved can make you think or feel whatever he wants. Even more dangerous he can help you think or feel what you want to and that can be valuable enough.
Weaknesses and Limitations:Unfortunately Ved's skills are limited in a number of ways.
TIMING: 24 hours and the persuasion aura or suggestion ends. If Ved suggested a person drive to California and they'd left from New York, they're not going to get very far. On an object/item that he's left as a trap for someone if they don't touch it within 24 hours then it's gone.
LIMIT: Ved can only generate and leave one suggestion aura on an object at a time. He could do multiple through direct touch in that time, but a trapped object he can only have one. If he leaves a new aura than the previous dissipates. He can only have one primary suggestion he's delivered to a person directly. Any others become secondary to that primary suggestion, but he can make a later suggestion the primary when he sets the aura. More than 3 auras on a person and not only do all but the primary have limited influence (up to the player), but the character is very likely to question something is wrong with them in confusion especially if there are radical or conflicting suggestions.
TARGETING: Ved can't specify whom his auras are for. Whoever touches the object next acquires the suggestion. Same problem if Ved had just prepared to deliver his persuasion through his left hand and someone at a bar bumps into it.
RESISTANCE: Ved's suggestions work best if they are subtle and simple. It's important to note that a player still decides their character's actions and how they might interpret a suggestion. Most people would easily resist a direct suggestion to harm themselves. Convincing a stalwart heterosexual to make out with someone of the same sex will be tricky at best. A suggestion to drive to California might get resisted by someone who has a child in town, by someone who isn't very spontaneous, etc. As an example maybe they start talking/considering it and planning for it but don't actually leave in 24 hours. In the heat of combat, a simple suggestion to trip over a chair they are fighting near at this very moment would be difficult to resist. A suggestion to feel warm as the moon rises might be a little odd, confusing the target slightly as opposed to feeling hot by the noon sun would be rather believable.
USAGE: Short, simple, or subtle suggestions do not tax Ved as much as long, complex, or overt suggestions do. Twenty quick suggestions like "trip over the chair" or "let me on the bus" amount to a suggestion of "drive to California." Something about the intent behind the aura he generates demands will or energy from Ved. Activating twenty numerous quick suggestions of the same message (like "clap for the speaker") is easy while twenty of varying meaning in a few minutes would feel like a quick mile run on top of whatever else is going on like a combat scenario. Ved trains for these scenarios, but sitll prefers to use those short, simple suggestions to best effect. Extreme use leaves Ved physically exhausted but mentally hyperactive. Curiously spending time with others (and not using his power) seems to help reduce the fatigue of his abilities.
Physical AbilitiesGeneral Physical Capabilities: Ved is quite strong, working out and lifting often. His speed, staminia, and reflexes are high as well from frequent work outs, hitting the gym, boxing and fighting training. He isn't the most flexible person however, likely needing a bit more stretching to those muscles. He's in excellent physical shape and aims to keep it that way. He drinks plenty of water and gets lots of protein.
Fighting Style: Ved's classic fighting style favors boxing but he's trained in Systema from his time with those forces as well as some karate, special forces MMA, Glima, and the wrestling/fisticuffs of his heritage. He's well trained at using his environment and fighting dirty with profesionall firing experience. He'll use a tonfa or club, but just as readily would use a scarf to wrap up your arms as he bites at your neck and kicks you in the groin. He favors throwing small items like darts, rings, or coins at people to deliver his mutant ability.
Fighting Style Pros/Cons: Simply put Ved is dangerous. Thankfully he isn't often out to kill but he can get some solid hits or touches on a person easily, which is dangerous enough considering his mutation. He's strong, quick, and has a smattering of different experience and knowledge to make him unpredictable. His ability to use his environment to his benefit is quite dangerous as well. However, he's no master. He'd never win a match against a master of their style, but then again chances are Ved simply wants to get away.
History Of Your CharacterHis mother gave birth under shooting stars. They thought him destined for a magical life and so they named him Vedun after the sorcerers of ancient times the Veduny. Ved, as he came to be called, was a cute, cherub child that made it easy to swindle passers-by and his quick fingers were good in a crowd. But the cherub enjoyed his food too much and became a portly child, a joke for family and those that mocked him at school.
He was growing, though perhaps too much. He learned to wrestle with the boys, eventually boxing though getting beaten down by the older boys. With no friends and an ever-present family he found wonder in his tricks: sleight of hand and magic he'd use to impress others. He went into books, learning what he could with the limited school months his people were allowed by law. They traveled though and he learned of so many people and their culture. He wanted to be all of them.
Life started to get easier as puberty began. A few zits are nothing when people start to do what you want them to; he called it his Luck. He grew taller and favored the gym as well as all the "adult tricks" his family wanted to teach him. Wrestling, boxing, dart throwing were fun but soft fingers made for picking purses and pockets. Slipping into vacation homes got him jewelry and cash. Girls liked him, boys wanted to be him, and hapless tourists and rubes gave him their money. He could get into any club and got presents from the stores he visited. Discounts were simple, money was easy. Into his early adulthood the years grew fun, profitable. His family took notice and pushed him into riskier behaviors. His girlfriend Liberty warned him.
He and his family conned a wealthy family in the capital. A lot of money and some very nice things came back with him. Apparently Liberty had found another boy who wanted a family life and to settle down with kids. Ved found them together and beat the boy who felt behooved to tell Liberty what he truly thought of her. And the haul he'd helped bring in? So little was his; they mocked him as their tool. His family wasn't really a family and so he left.
It was easy to get along alone. It was easier, safer. He found groups to use to better himself still. One gang led to a better gang, which led soon to paramilitary organizations and their training. It wasn't hard to convince them to let the strong, good-looking, and fresh faced young man join. He learned more about the world and about himself: the mutant. He studied various fighting styles, special operations training, and went on frequent missions across the world. But eventually they too had to get left behind when they mocked the "gypsy" and his uneducated unbringing, yet still they'd use him. He ghosted them too.
Ved and his many aliases he'd developed along the way became a mercenary. He could easily live off others, picking up what he wanted with the occasional mark and con job. Some even looked for him for their needs and thus he became a mercenary, grifter, and thief. Whatever the case called for. He was known as the Fox to the downtrodden, the Romani to the military circles, Zingaro to the Roma, and Warlock to the wealthy and corporate. The dark web had plenty of opportunity. But how many people can you leave behind before one comes looking?
RoleplayWhat’s your OOC alias?: Tempest
Where did you learn about this site?: Google, but I'm an existing player
Do you have any other characters on MRO, if so who: Tempest
Sample RP:"Hey," the green-eyed young man brushed up at the bar.
"Hi, I'm Edan," the hazel-eyed lad replied, smiling.
"Jackson," he grinned. "Care for a drink?"
"Yeah, least you can do with how much you keep accidentally bumping into me," Edan said with a smile.
"Oh it's no accident," Jackson chuckled and Edan laughed back. "Two more," he pointed down at his whiskey as he glanced over at the bar tender.
The bar tender poured quickly and slid them over. Edan handed Jackson his and then clinked them. "Here's to a good night getting even better," Edan winked.
******
"That explains the arms," Jackson said, squeezing Edan's bicep. "I could use a trainer."
"You're hot man but if you want," Edan smiled. "I work at Equinox. We could build up your shoulders, tone up that stomach before beach season. I can't wait for the summer."
"Yeah, me too, but I work in a cave so it won't matter much til I'm on vacation anyway," Jackson explained.
"A cave?"
"Yeah I'm a developer, a programmer..."
"Oh," Edan brightened. "Good-looking and smart! Don't like it?"
"No, I do. We've got a couple great projects going on right no..."
Edan grinned, attention rapt.
******
"Sleep tight," Edan murmurred as he rose from Jackson's bed, pulling pants and shirt on quickly. Into the office he went, slipping the thumb drive into a USB port of the tired programmer's laptop. Two minutes later and he was out the door, walking blissfully under the pre-dawn fog.
At a McDonald's he shed his contacts, grabbed the stash of clothes he'd hid above the ceiling tile, and tossed somne product through his hair. Out he went to find some breakfast.
Onto the bus he climbed and he frowned as he touched the shoulder of the driver, "Damn I'm sorry I forgot my pass."
"Oh that's alright, man," the driver gestured back with a nod of his head.
At the diner a short ways downtown Ved slipped into a seat. He got a nice coffee with extra cream and sugar. He frowned at the lovely brunette waitress as she returned.
"What's wrong? Coffee burnt?" she looked concerned.
"No, I'm afraid I forgot my wallet. I'm sorry, I'll have to go get it," Ved lifted the mug to her as she pushed it back down.
"No, no..." her smile widened. "Don't worry about it. You can get us back next time."
"Or maybe I can pay you back tonight?" Ved grinned hopefully.
History Updates
January 2023"I've actually been back for a bit," Ved grinned.
"Oh, cool. Cool cool," the former lacrosse player turned crossfit coach said almost sheepishly. For a big guy he was awfully shy.
Ved chuckled, leaning back his head as he put down the weights he'd been curling. "What's wrong?"
"Oh just, figured you hit me up if you were back in town. For a beer or- whatever..." the guy shrugged, glancing to Ved's hazel eyes and then away as he wrapped his hands.
"Or whatever," Ved winked with a sultry suggestive tone. "It's not that I didn't want to. Been thinking about you since I got into town."
"Oh?" the other guy asked, turning back, hope in his eyes. "I mean. Oh, why?"
Nice save, but Ved didn't want to mock the guy. "Yeah but had to make sure it was safe. Like I told you before..." Ved's voice dropped as he drew close to the tall brunette.
"I know, I know... government stuff."
"Mmm hmm," Ved practically hummed as he brushed himself across the eager crossfitter.
Who of course, swallowed in nervous anticipation.
And it was true. Ved had been gone for government work. It just wasn't the spy work for the US government he'd suggested before. True Lies often were partially true after all. He'd just been running a few jobs for Spain, and then China, and he took a long vacation in Melbourne. You take the work you can get and you party when you can.
