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 ContentsBackstoryZetsel hails from a country brimming with magic, but he was not so fortunate. While most other children half his age could exercise their abilities in simple displays, he had very little to show for. His magic was feeble, unable to be sustained even during channeling beyond a crackle or two.
In school, Zetsel learned quickly that he would never be good enough if he remained the way he is. He would never see the praises sung about the prodigies in his cohort and that he will always be passed over for opportunities. He was doomed to amount to absolutely nothing if he stayed content. So he poured all his efforts into his studies; if he could brute force his way to standing aside the "greats", he will find a way.
His efforts were not in vain. Zetsel was accepted into the most prestigious college of magical studies in the country, and he was on track to becoming a scholar in enchantment and artificing. However, it became apparent efforts alone were not enough. He would continue in Academia for his career, but frustration with his limitations would lead him to fixate on finding a solution.
After few years of personal research, he came up with the mechanics of an augment that could act as a reservoir. It would draw on surroundings passively, or be absorbed from an object in the user's reach: an elegant solution to his self-ascribed hindrance.
On the night was to present his magnum opus to the greater colloquium, the theatre was horrified to find out that the augment was a permanently grafted fixture on the body of its host and that if the user so pleased, it could rip the magic potential out of another living being. When pressed, Zetsel boldly answered that the latter was an intentional feature, that the augment would find supply in whatever it could with little discrimination. This upset the committee, who ousted him on the spot for his blatant disregard for research ethics.
It wasn't long after that a shadowy weapons-manufacturing cabal took interest in Zetsel's work and sought him out in the aftermath of the controversy. They offered that in between projects they assigned him, he was permitted to develop the augment further, only this time, its capacity to parasitise was a primary feature. He accepted, and after six years of continuous work, he finished a stable first iteration of the augment. He was, however, unable to convince his employers to supply him a subject to attach it to. Out of options, Zetsel volunteered himself.
At first, it was flawless. Zetsel was able to discover the fullest capacity of his magic for the first time and his employers found components of this research valuable for their own projects... but soon it became clear that the augment was more potent than they were expecting. It was ravenous and sapped from their facilities, and Zetsel would also find himself fatigued if the augment was not charged frequently. It wasn't a failure, but it had too many drawbacks for them to use. Happy enough with the residual results, the cabal gave him a hefty payment, but forbade him from returning to work with them until he could find a solution.
And now, Zetsel roams the world, trying to find a source powerful enough to satiate the mechanical parasite for good. |
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Personality
Prickly, forceful but undeniably intelligent, Zetsel doesn't pay mind to people really calling him a curmudgeon or uncooperative. He approaches things on his own terms, answers to people as he pleases, and never hands out trust or loyalty for free. He carries himself with a bit of a distant pride, almost looming over others (figuratively) in every conversation but never stepping to brag or flaunt. Despite that and the occasional harsh criticism muttered under his breath, he enjoys a good conversation so long as it isn't at the cost of interruption.
Something that becomes evident about Zetsel is that he is resolute to an insurmountable degree, fueled first by years of compounded spite and jadedness, but also self-preservation. The Amplifier has only exacerbated this, leaving him unable to simply let his guard down or idle too long before it threatens to consume him. With little care to begin with and desperation spurring him on, he is willing to hurt other people if it means gaining a foothold in his lifelong struggle to keep surpassing others. One shouldn't be fooled by the facade that he acts out of a will to survive; he acts with contempt first.
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
While not a master manipulator per se, Zetsel is shrewd and knows his way around getting a favorable deal out of others. He knows how to gleam information out of people in what might seem like a simple conversation and retain it well enough to be exchanged for a favour or two from someone else. In turn, he is able to cover his own tracks and protect himself from the same tactics.
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's left glove has short, retractable metallic extensions on his middle finger, index and thumb [used as a makeshift screwdriver or utility knife] which can be used for scratching or stabbing in any emergencies.
✦ 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 and their maintenance.
- Great at negotiating.
- Adaptable. *Very* adaptable.
✧ Imperative Weaknesses
- If not supplemented enough, the Augment will feed off Zetsel's own shallow pool of magical energy. If all magic 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
✦ A personal voice claim for him is GraveRobber from REPO! The Genetic Opera.
✦ "Zetsel" is a word in Dutch meaning brewed [coffee or tea]. This wasn't intended during the development of the character, but it was a fun addition.