Name: Zan Vankel
Gender: Male
Age: 34
Hair: Zan's hair is brown, kept at a length just passed his ears, it is constantly combed and well groomed more out
of habit then actual worry for its looks.
Eyes: Simple brown hue eyes, and a pair of goggles with lenses that allow him to 'zoom' on targets, much like the one Vyse has, which
occasionally helps increase his accuracy with his weapon with far away targets. He also acquired a crescent moon scar that travels across his left eye during
his battles in Ixataka.
Nationality: Valuan
Family:
Mother- Sytra Vankel-Captain of the Sureshot, an older Valuan Battleship, who guards Valua.
Sister- Kailee Vankel- Lives with Sytra
Miria Vankel- Wife of Zan
Shockbite- Loyal Crylhound
Occupation: Since leaving command of his vessel, Zan serves as a lookout and combat spellcaster for ships whenever he finds passage. He also
serves as a secondary medic.
Clothing: Wearing a long draping simple brown cloak and light clothing of nasarian style, he uses this simple disguise to hide the darkened
valuan mage armor that he generally wears. Unlike the usually large and bulky armor most Valuans wear, Zan has a much smaller armor that offers less
protection, but can blend easier with regular clothing. He also has a set of valuan clothing from his time in upper city which he changes into when he's
required to dress nicely for the rare nice occasion. The clothing in question is a simple blue suit with white stripes down the middle made of fine silk
material. The left shoulder of his armor bear the new symbol of Valua on them, though these are generally hidden from view when he wears his cloak. He almost
always wears a set of thick gloves so he can wield his weapon.
Body Shape: The man has kept his body and mind in shape, keeping himself well toned, standing at 6'5" and weighing at 200lb, he
pushes to keep himself in shape while still mastering the magical arts of the moon.
Markings and Accessories: He acquired a crescent moon scar that travels across his left eye during his battles in Ixataka.
Weapons: While preferring to use spells to fight in battle, Zan knows well the usefulness for keeping a weapon handy, leading him to keep a
Valuan Gunblade, exactly like the one officers tended to use, allowing for ranged attacks as well as being strong enough to be used as a melee weapon thanks to
the blade on the bottom.
Items: Large Travel Backpack, Sacri Box, x2 Rislian Crystals, Curia Box, tent, utensils, water canteens, moonstone carriers, medial tools,
minor engineer tools, extra ammo cartages, sharpening stone, travel sized auto-cook pot.
Moonstone(s):
Yellow- Being raised in Valua and learning the arts of the spellcaster made it a necessity for Zan to acquire this stone, and thus far is extremely proficient in yellow magic.
Electri, Electres, Electrum, Driln, Drilnos
Green- While being stationed in Ixa'taka, Zan couldn't help but acquire one of these stones, and he learned a number of spells under the green moon when he helped captives and slaves when they needed healing.
Sacri, Sacres, Noxi
Silver- During his time in Mid-Ocean, Zan came across a rare Silver Moonstone and currently trains with this stone, seeking to hold the power of life...and death. He currently uses this moonstone more then any other he has currently acquired.
Curia, Risan, Riselem, Eterni, Eternes
History: Zan Vankel was born on the Valuan Continent in upper city to a noble family of military prestige. Following the steps of his mother, Miltara Vankel, a respected officer and a hero of the Valuan-Nasr War, he joined the Valuan Military at the age of sixteen. The boy was well talented in the way of spellcasting, and had keen eyes that made him an excellent gunmen, taking to heart in using a rifle in combat. Despite being a noble, Zan was far from being snobbish and vain like many other nobles, instead he tried to keep his head cool and feet on the ground while helping those around him. During one incident, a small Crylhound cub had wandered into Upper City levels and was being harassed by children until Zan chased them off. Unwilling to kill the creature, he took it as his own and began raising it as a faithful, if occasionally unruly, companion of choice. Some saw this odd, while others began to wonder if perhaps the hounds could be used as possible guard animals, since Valua employed a number of war creatures in its army. Regardless, it would come to pass that he would be rarely seen without the swift predator.
Unlike many others, who only looked down with contempt at the poor population in Lower City, Zan spent a good bit of his time helping out those in need in Lower City, bringing what good food and work tools he could to the desperate citizens. These people built the weapons and armor in which their nation depended on for survival, and though he petitioned many times that proper aid and rewards be given to their fellow Valuan kin, he found only deaf ears. He ended up befriending a young woman named Miana Solika during this time who showed talent, spirit, and a strong will that was all but non-existent in the lower cities. Not wanting to see her talent waste away in the slums of the back alleys, he devised a plan which would change her life. Using a little trickery, guile, and bribing, he was able to get her enrolled into the Valuan Academy. The two were all but inseparable during their training, and graduated with high honors, he has a spellcaster, and her as a melee fighter.
Using his prestige, as well as a request from his mother, both he and Miana were given a position on one of five exploratory vessel that would be investigating the rumors of a land that was suppose to be under the green moon. Still suffering from the wounds of the Valua-Nasr war, and in desperate need of a new place to excavate moonstones for their many ships, as well as collect other resources, the Valuan Empire was eager to see if the rumors of a lush and green land were true. It took nearly four months, but the small exploration fleet finally located the wondrous lands of Ixa'taka.
At first, meeting between the Ixa'takans, and the Valuans went very well, being treated akin to servants of gods that made life easy for the small exploratory fleet to get a good grasp of the Ixa'takan general lifestyle and culture. Zan and Miana had even made a few friends during this time, thanks in no small part to the Crylhound that the Ixa'takans found fascinating, as well as his rather impressive spellcasting. He made several friends during this time, two of his closest being a hunter/warrior named Kil'vald, and his sister Til'kaia, a ritualistic dancer. Miana had begun to develop a relationship with Kil'vald, which could only end in tragedy.
At first, it was believed that, while lush in natural resources, that there was little the green lands could offer Valua, until the discovery of Moon Stone Mountain. When word came reached Valuan high Command, the orders were clear. Moon Stone Mountain would be mined for the moonstones in held, and the primitives would be used to make up a bulk of the work force. When Valuas intentions became clear to the Ixa'takans, a massive battle took place between the two groups. While the Ixa'takans had the advantage in most ground battles, both in knowing the territory and being better melee fighters, the weapons and gunships of Valua gave them edge against the more primitive gear of the Ixa'takans, especially when it would come to ship battles. The massive metal war ships could rip apart fleets of Ixa'takan boarding vessels when they attempted to retaliate. Although Zan did not wish to bring harm to the Ixa'takans, he was not ready to forfeit his countrymen, so with regret, he too battled against the Ixa'takans. At first, the Ixa'takan moral was high, considering they were greatly angered that they had been deceived, and believed they would be able to defeat the invaders from the east, until reinforcements began to arrive.
During the short war between the two forces, Zan was able to capture Kil'vald and Til'kaia, and forced them to make a terrible decision. Either they would forsake their allegiance with their people and join the Valuan forces in helping bring the battle to an end, or join their kin in either slavery or death. Til'kaia surrendered quietly to serve as Zans 'personal slave', which several Valuans had taken a custom to picking 'favorite' Ixa'takans who they kept for their own reasons while still leaving more then enough for the mines. Zan had proven himself enough in battle and revealing knowledge about hidden Ixa'takan encampments (as well as his families ties) that his superiors cared little in him taking a servant. Outraged and torn by betrayal, Kil'vald launched himself against Zan in one on one mortal combat. Zan tried his best to talk his former friend down while defending from the Ixa'takans attacks, but he was unable to convince him to surrender. Torn between her friendship and her love, Miana finally stepped in and was forced to kill Kil'vald with her own hands to protect Zan. In the end, the Ixa'takans were forced into hiding and surrender as Admiral Mendosa took over operations of Ixa'taka a few years later.
Stationed as a healer in Moonstone Mountain, Zan, now twenty three saw first hand the cruel treatment of the defeated Ixa'takans, being akin to the suffering of those in Lower City. Like before, he not only tried to give them extra food and medicine during this time, he and a few others also petitioned to try and end the hardships the Ixa'takans were forced to suffer, and although their were promises made, things only seemed to be getting worse. He then began noticing that slaves a number of slaves were being forced to work extra hours; while he knew of a young captain named Shike Neshin who was secretly aiding the Ixa'takans by freeing slaves and smuggling them to safe locations (which he supported), there were not enough escapes to warrant the unnecessary work load he was witnessing. He began an investigation with other officers who were more concerned about possible profits and supplies being taken from the Valuan Empire, and after nearly a year of investigation, it was discovered that Admiral Mendosa had in fact been using a small number of loyalist forces to collect extra profits for their own personal gain. However, before anything could be properly done with the information, word reached the Valuan forces that Mendosa had apparently been killed.
For a time, Ixa'taka fell under complete control of Galcians forces, and under his watchful eye, Zan and Shike found out quickly that their previous tactics of aiding Ixa'takans was now all but impossible since soldiers were now more alert and on the lookout for anyone who might try to steal supplies for any reason. No longer able to aid the Ixa'takans without running a huge risk of being caught, Zan, who had become part of Shike's crew, along with Miana and Til'kaia, requested a transfer, and luckily enough it was accepted and they found themselves no longer in Ixa'takan airspace, away from suspicious eyes.
For the next few years Zan served as Shike's lookout and key to information of the going ons in the Valuan Empire as they sailed mid-ocean, protecting small outposts and communities on the fringes of Valuan space that were dangerously close to Nasr borders, finding themselves plenty of enemies in the form of Black Pirates, Nasr Guerrillas, and even occasional Blue Rogues (the blue rouges tended to go after military stations and ships rather then merchants and undefended towns). Eventually, Zan transferred to a new ship, one in which Miria had taking command of a Valuan Battleship and continued patrolling Mid-ocean from pirate attacks. Til'kaia decided to stay aboard Shike's vessel, which employed a number of Ixa'takan who had 'joined' the Valuan Empire.
Nearly two years later, word was given that Valuan soldiers needed to capture a Silvite, a citizen from a mysterious civilization that was seeking artifacts that could control terrible weapons of war. During this time, as the Armada began to fret over the moon crystals and a young air pirate who was beginning to cause difficulties for the Armada, Zan and his crew found themselves placed in the recently promoted Sixth Admiral of the Valuan Fleet, Rameriz, and when the attack against Nasr was planned using a new type of engine, Zan was more then willing to join the attack, eager to strike at Valuans greatest enemy. Zan even volunteered that their ship be used for the experimental test flight with new engines that would be able to punch through the sky rifts (much to Miria's annoyance, who didn't want to risk her ship unnecessarily). The test was thankfully successful as Zan and the crew prepared themselves for a glorious battle against Nasr. However, when the battle finally was at hand, instead of a massive ship to ship battle, they found Nasr completely defenseless, and were given orders to fire upon the city. Zan obeyed the order to fire, but he found himself disappointed, and guilty for firing on a defenseless city. The following months lead to the disarmament and hunting down of the Nasr army, going after any who had not surrendered, becoming part of the occupational force. During this time Zan began to assist in some of the post-reconstruction of the city, as well as assisting the wounded. While he knew well and felt the hostilities between Nasr and Valua, he felt that there had their victory was hollow. There had been no battle of glory, no triumph over the armies of Nasr, just the usage of Black Pirate tactics in which many died, most being merchants. Instead of conquering an enemy, he felt that they had brought the same kind of horror and misery as was brought to the Ixa'takans and their own Lower City citizens. While many despised him for good reason, some were thankful for his assistance until Valuan forces were ordered to pull out and leave the city to its fate. After the destruction of Nasr, Zan began to feel disillusioned about the Valuan Empire for the millions of innocents they had killed time and time again for their own greed and ambition.
However, he could not bring himself to betray his homeland until Galcian began taking control of the Armada in its entirety. Zan, along with several other ships were ordered to return to Valua to give them an option of surrendering to Galcian, or face his full power and those who had turned against Valua. All of the ships were ordered to return so Galcian could destroy all of those who he or his commanders felt were not worthy or strong enough to serve under their new reign so they could be caught in the Rains of Destruction. During the travel, Zan's crew ran afoul a Black Pirate ambush and were forced to dock at Sailors Island for repairs, which spared them the death brought by the Rains of Destruction. While many began flocking to join the now famous Blue Rogue Vyse Dyne in his attack against Galcian's fleet, Zan joined other Valuan survivors and began a massive rescue effort on their former homeland. While some wanted to join the fight, it was realized quickly that their vessels could easily be mistaken for Galcian's ships, so were forced to stay away from the conflict when it finally occurred. Surprisingly, Zan discovered that both his mother and younger sister had survived the rains of destruction, being inside a gunboat at somehow avoiding the many fallen moonstones.
When the final battle was over, Zan and the surviving Valuans, under the guidance of their new ruler, Enrique, began hard work to rebuild Valua, this time as a country of peace that would work together with other countries, rather then one who ruled through terror and strength. During this time he also married Miria, who had stayed by his side since they had first met. After initial rebuilding was complete, Zan decided to take his leave of the Armada for a time to travel the world, wishing to see its wonders as an explorer seeking a new place in which he could settle down. He also wanted to pay his respects to the cultures he helped destroy at one point in his life. But the number of enemies trying to destroy the fragile peace the world currently holds is many, and it may be some time before he can find a peaceful retirement with his wife who has begun to look after some of the outskirt towns and villages.
RP SAMPLE:
The great sun beat down on the world below as the red moon watched the world below, giving its blessing of incredible heat and power to all, desired or not, as it dared the brave and the foolish to challenge the mighty desert and sheer power the red moon had to offer. A Valuan Merchant Vessel slowly pressed through the incredible heat as a sand-filled windstorm blasted across the ship.
"Arg...blast it all, I can'na see a single bloomin' thing in this bloody storm!" The captain grumbled as he squinted, trying to make out anything ahead of him.
"Don't worry Captain, we're still a decent distance from the Stone Reefs...turn to port by three degrees, and we will be back on course...lower altitude by ten meters, incoming stone." Said the gentleman calmly standing next to the Captain, who wore a large cloak that made him appear to be a large man wearing a pair of goggles and keeping the hood on his cloak up. If one wasn't the wiser, one would think he was a large Nasrean soldier. The merchant captain quickly turned his ship just in time for a small rock from the stone reef to shoot past them before plummeting into the eternal depths of Deep Sky. The man gave a small sigh as he took a quick swig from his water canteen, before giving the rest to his faithful companion who stood next to him.
The captain gave a small sigh as he turned to face the gentleman. "Zan Vankel...I don't know how yer do it, but thanks. Yer all thats keepin this boat from careenin' with those bloody rocks."
"Just keep your eyes in front of you Captain." He said calmly again, taking a moment to remember his homeland.
Valua...at one time the mention of the name sent shivers down the spines of all in the vicinity, made others sweat and turn pale with dread. Valua was once the single most powerful continent in the world, threatening to take over the entire world. Zan had lived a lifetime watching the rise and fall of the Valuan Empire, mostly serving on the side that was trying to do the taking over. His thoughts wandered to his wife who he had left back in Valua...
"Do you really have to leave, Zan?" Miria asked as she stood on the port in her full military uniform that seemed to copy a similar design to what Belleza had once worn.
The man turned to his wife, the woman who had been a part of his life for nearly three decades, and offered her a soft smile. "Yes, though perhaps it is unfair for me to leave..." He began, dressed in what appeared to be nothing more then a simple Nasr cloak which hid the battle armor that he wore below it as he loaded the last of his supplies onto the simple Valuan Merchant ship. "But the prin...excuse, Emperor needs all the skilled captains he can get, so that makes you inexpendable."
The woman just gave him a lop-sided grin. "And your not?"
Zan threw back a sheepish grin of his own. "That just means I can escape a little easier then you. I warned you that you should stock up on your vacation time..." He then took a more serious tone as he looked into her emerald green eyes. "I have some old friends I'd like to visit, and I'd like to make amends where they are needed." He then looked out into the darkened clouds of Valua as lightning zipped through the sky. "Besides...with rumor of a new enemy threatening Valua, I have a duty to hunt them down to maintain the peace" He then turned to her and offered a mischievous chuckle. "Besides, I'd like to fine a nice little get away that the two of us might be able to retire to someday...or where I can hide when its that time of month."
He was rewarded for his comment as his wife threw something at him that was quite metal...and very, very hard, leaving him a nice bruise on his forehead. "Ow...you threw a monkey wrench at me!"
The woman just sighed at this odd-ball who was suppose to be a Valuan Noble. She then stood at attention and gave a salute as his Crylehound gave out a low hooting noise as the merchant captain said it was time for them to leave. "I will see you in a years time, then."
Zan smiled and gave a salute as well. "Years time, if not less. Be well, Captain Miria."
"Stop the ship. We have a single black pirate ship moving right on top of us." Zan calmly stated, causing the captain to begin cursing as he brought the ship to a full stop. Before the captain could even ask, Zan walked out of the door and told the Crylhound to stay, earning a very annoyed whine from the creature.
The black pirates quickly docked with the ship, and five began jumping off ropes and landing on the deck. They landed and drew their weapons, each of them grinning as they saw only one defender prepared to challenge them as that same defender took a moment to readjust himself to the powerful sandstorm, doing his best to keep his footing. "Surrender now, and we'll give ya a clean death!" The leader of the band offered mockingly.
Zan merely shook his head. "You should surrender. The odds are against you."
The men looked at one another and laughed as the leader stepped forward, pointing a pistol at the man. "Oh really, and how is that? There's over fifty of us and only one of you!" He said as another batch began making their way down.
Zan just pointed behind him. "Not by my count." Moment later a rather large stone suddenly flew over the merchant ship and slammed into the mast of the Black Pirate Vessel, causing some of the pirates to loose their grip as they flung to their doom as the vessel began loosing altitude. "Using a ship not even designed to deal with stone reefs in this weather? You're quite the idiots, now surrender at once, or perish." He finished as the Black Pirate Vessel disappeared from view as it tried to regain itself. It wasn't going to sink anytime soon, but it would be a bit before the Black Pirates could use it effectively.
"Zan! Just how flammin close are we ta that Stone Reef?!" The Captain called out, a bit of worry in the elder mans grizzled voice, causing Zan to give out an annoyed sigh. "Not now...start the ship up, angle us 25 degrees west and we'll be safe from the reef!"
The pirates responded by charging, and Zan had a quick response as he called upon the powers of the great moons. "Silver Moon...destroy my enemies!" He called out, suddenly sending out wave after wave of sharp looking diamonds into the group.
The leader held his stance for a moment before looking around and grinning at the caster. "Hah! You're stupid spell didn't even work, right boys?! Boys?" He turned to find two of the pirates shell shocked as two of his other companions fell to the ground. He gave a warcry as he charged...only to suddenly have a black and yellow creature suddenly leap on top of him. He screamed as the creatures teeth and claws ripped his skin while the two pirates snapped out of their daze and charged at the creature.
"Yellow Moon, cleanse these filth with your power!" Zan called as the Crylehound leaped into the air as a string of lighting slammed into the pirates, taking out the lesser cronies, but still leaving the 'leader' standing, if only somewhat. "You'll pay for this!" He yelled as he pulled out two small handguns and fired. Zan quickly jumped to the side, dodging one, while the other struck him in the chest, causing the pirate to chuckle. "Gottcha!" He yelled, only to realize as the man pulled out a large rifle that his opponent was wearing a type of Valuan armor. His moment of shock was all Zan needed to fire his rifle, killing the man in one shot as the bullet flew through the pirates skull.
Replacing his rifle, and carefully removing the bullet that had come dangerously close to piercing his armor, he took the weapons, gold, and other salvageable equipment off the pirates before offering a prayer to the moons that they could find peace as he pushed their bodies off the deck. He then turned as the storm began to subside, pulling down the hood and pulling up his goggles as he watched the sand begin to disappear, revealing a massive number of floating stones not terribly far away from the merchant ship.
"Zan ye bloody idiot! Ye had me flyin' tha' close to the bloody reef?!" The merchant captain yelled. "Ye coulda gotten both of us killed!"
The Valuan man just shrugged. "We're alive right, and you even have a few extra weapons and equipment to add to your stockpile, yes?"
He was rewarded for the comment with a monkey wrench slamming into his head.
