Zetsel [WIP]
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-- Zetsel
A former scholar in magi-tech ostracized from the academic community, Zetsel wanders the world in search of something that could permanently counteract the parasitic side effects of a grafted augment of his own making. Motivated largely by his unrelenting ambition and sense of self-preservation, Zetsel is more than willing to make a gambit to achieve what he needs, even if it means making enemies and burning bridges as he does so.
Table of ContentsBackstory[Character backstory] |
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Personality
Zetsel appears a forceful but keenly intelligent curmudgeon, quick to level criticism where he sees the opportunity without consequence. He isn't easily threatened by others and carries himself with a proud demeanour, though never with too much swagger and just enough condescension to tick off the short-tempered. Despite his difficult tendencies, he is surprisingly open to conversation if approached when he's not in the middle of something. Experience and instincts lead Zetsel into most situations with a few contingency plans in mind, and he is even more cautious when it comes to making agreements or dealings with people. Neither his trust nor loyalty can be earned permanently though as they do not exist.
Zetsel is resolute to an insurmountable degree, fueled by years of compounded spite and envy. While his goals before were entirely self-centered, the looming threat of the Amplifier on his own life has pushed him to desperation in preserving himself. He is willing to hurt others if it means another foothold in his lifelong bid for power; he wants nothing more than to surpass those born in positions more advantageous than his own. His contempt towards these people is unsubtle, and if someone were to reveal themselves as falling into one of those cases, he'd be more than happy to take a more direct approach to confrontation.
Likes
- Gathering knowledge
- Robots & machines
- Discussions & debates
- Warm, dry weather
- Traveling [excluding for work/survival purposes]
- Eavesdropping on others
- Coffee
Dislikes
- Elitism
- Authority figures
- Institutional academia
- Higher powers/deities
- Ethical boundaries
- Not being in control
- Being belittled or disregarded
- People that ask too many questions
- Not having personal space
Abilities
✦ Innate Magic
Zetsel, in spite of his limitations, is highly adept at energy manipulation. He can detect energy, magical or physical, and be able to further glean their type and "signature", letting him discern certain origins. He can also redirect energy between inanimate objects, whether it be in the form of powering a mechanism or enchanting an item with a spell.
Zetsel can concentrate his magical energy as a volley of destructive projectiles; as a blade with physical properties; or just as a pulse that momentarily disrupts most magic in a radius around him.
✦ The Grafted Amplifier
The Amplifier allows Zetsel to both empower his innate magic and sustain their usage without overexertion passively, but it has also granted him a remedy for his weak magic stamina: Parasitism.
The Amplifier can drain the magic from Zetsel's surroundings to empower his own abilities, with little to no regard for that magic's source. The ambient environment, surrounding objects, living creatures and even people, will all be sapped slowly to empower Zetsel and the Amplifier. The drain speed increases with amount and proximity to Zetsel, being near-instant if he is in direct contact with a limited source.
✦ Artifice
Skills & Stats
Zetsel leans into the strengths he has, but leaves enough room to be flexible. He is more confident in his mental and magic based skills, but maintains a fairly healthy average in terms of general physical capabilities.
Weapons
- To help direct his augmented magic, Zetsel wears long gloves with lines of the same metallic composition extending to the tips of his pointer and middle fingers, as well as his thumb. These "conductive" strips end in claw-like points, which he might (ideally) use for ease of tinkering, but are also sharp enough for swiping at things.
✦ General Stats
| ✦ Strengths |
✧ Weaknesses |
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✦ Imperative Strengths
- Knowledgeable: Magic, engineering, history... A lot of things expected to be taught in formal academia, but also survival knowledge from experience in traveling.
- Tinkering, metalworking and inventing things. Specialises in metal constructs.
- Great at negotiating.
- Adaptable. *Very* adaptable.
✧ Imperative Weaknesses
- If not supplemented enough, the Augment will feed off Zetsel's own shallow pool of mana. If all mana is depleted, it will then begin feeding on his physical energy, causing lethargy or even unconsciousness if left ignored.
- Zetsel's magical abilities are extremely offensive and control-based. He has little defensive options and completely lacks any restoration or healing abilities.
- Kind of underestimates non-taught/unorthodox magic applications or sources. Has disdain for people who rely on borrowed or external forces behind someone's abilities.
✦ Psychological Stats ✦
| Charisma | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Kindness | ✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Patience | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧ | Intelligence | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ |
| Confidence | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧ | Perception | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧ |
| Discipline | ✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧ | Psych stamina | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧ |
| Courage | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧ | Caution | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧ |
| Honesty | ✦✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ | Loyalty | ✦✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧✧ |
| Maturity | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧ | Creativity | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧ |
| Cleanliness | ✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧ | Work ethic | ✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦ |
✧ Physical Stats ✧
| Physical Strength |
✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧
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Speed |
✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧
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| Magical Strength |
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
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Constitution |
✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧
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| Physical Defense |
✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧✧✧
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Dexterity |
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧
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| Magical Defense |
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧✧
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Stamina |
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✧✧
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Stats with duo-colour denote the difference between Zetsel at base (ie. with the Amplifier not empowering him) and with the Amplifier's effects [provided that it is powered and not feeding on him].
Usage Notes
Feel free to use him however you need in the story reasonably within character. Major injury and/or killing him is also okay!
Also don't hesitate to ask/DM me questions if you intend to bring up any other sensitive subjects or other boundaries I haven't considered. ^^
Gallery
[main reference image]
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Author's Notes
✦ The voice claim for Zetsel is GraveRobber from REPO! The Genetic Opera, but this is just a personal headcanon from Calamitea.
✦ "Zetsel" is a word in Dutch meaning brewed [coffee or tea]. This wasn't intended during the development of the character, but is a fun fact that had to be mentioned.