The Wraith: Duke Levi Bosner
A charming but withdrawn noble who goes out and kills people in the name of The Locust at night.
Noble Born
It's coming, Levi, and no amount of money will stop it.
The Bosner family was old, respected, but forever small. Their marriages were forever marked by a problematic time conceiving children, and so it was that most Bosner children grew up alone without the benefit of siblings. Given its small size, wealth was easy to hold onto- the entire fortune was usually claimed only by a single heir, not picked apart like a carcass.
Political power is not so easily preserved. It doesn't help that the last sane member of the family keeps to himself, despite how many ladies would love to claim him as their husband. Withered and covered in the dust of misuse, no Bosner voice is heard loudly protesting for the King's attention. Some even wonder if the family will die with Levi himself.
Others tried. They failed. But they succeeded far more than you could ever dream to accomplish, hiding away from the light of the sun.
When he is seen in public, Levi is usually very charming. Although he generally only speaks when absolutely necessary and doesn't mince words, his gaze is intense and his face usually betrays the keen attention he pays to everything around him. Gifted with charisma and very attractive features, Levi's usually withdrawn manner makes his more overt romantic actions even more effective, rare as they are.
Politically, Levi listens and watches, but rarely acts. Most assume that he feels he has nothing to gain through the effort expended. Levi seems content to sit in his opulent but small dwelling within the walls of the Capital city.
No empathy? No concern? Do you not see the creeping tendrils that slowly make their way to the throat of the world?
A Broken Man
In truth, Levi is a callous and sadistic individual. He simply does not care about the emotions of others, and enjoys being able to exert power over others as a Duke. His public persona is largely an act, an attempt to mislead others as to his true intent and personality. Levi is extremely careful to hide his true intentions- he does not abuse his privilege in public, and treats most with a muted respect- preferring instead to exact his influence over others with a blade.
In particular, Levi's mind has been thoroughly affected by The Locust, who used magic along with Devil's Spit exposure to brainwash Levi. This brainwashing instilled Levi with an automatic and severe fanaticism towards The Locust. Hoping to become useful, Levi began spending his wealth on training and instruction, quickly finding that he had a natural talent for deception as well as infiltration and other less than noble undertakings.
Notably, Levi is afraid of deep water, and has absolutely no experience swimming. Additionally, Levi is constantly plagued by a disturbing voice that taunts and goads him. All attempts to make the voices stop talking have failed.
The Wraith
Levi first took on his persona as The Wraith soon after he began hunting his first Locust-assigned victim. Levi takes his usual quiet demeanor and becomes menacing, usually saying nothing if at all possible. Levi wears dark leather, allowing the use of a cape and mask to fully try and distance The Wraith from his day life.
The Wraith is a capable assassin, linked to a number of unsolved killings. Levi's skill at getting away unnoticed means that he has no reputation- although were someone to realize just how many victims were killed by the same hand, a panic might ensue.
Capabilities
- Levi is an above-average physical and mental specimen in all regards, but especially Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence
- Levi is Ambidextrous, has Combat Reflexes, is Double-Jointed, has Perfect Balance, is Fit, and is less affected by pain than other individuals.
- That said, Levi is plagued by Phantom Voices, and has a fear of deep water.
- Levi is highly trained at social deception, having a skill of 17 in Acting and Fast-talk, as well as a 15 in Body Language and a 14 in detect lies.
- Levi is capable of advanced parkour given his 16 in Acrobatics and Jumping as well as his 19 in Climbing.
- With an escape skill of 17 aided by being double-jointed, it is next to impossible to keep Levi restrained.
- Shadowing (14), Tracking (15) and Stealth (18) all serve to make Levi extremely hard to escape from or spot when he chooses to try and remain hidden.
- Levi is trained in the use of Bows, Crossbows, Broadswords, Rapier, and Spears.
- As an accomplished martial artist, Levi is almost as dangerous in unarmed combat as he is with a rapier.
Intent and Design
Levi is built primarily as an antagonist for the players to have to face. As one of the main agents of the Locust, it was appropriate to ensure that he could operate unseen through social guile, while remaining an extremely competent assassin and combatant.
I'm sure my players are going to hate him. Especially once it's established that Levi really is a cruel, uncaring and sadistic individual- The Locust merely programmed the fanatical loyalty to the Conspiracy that Levi shows.
Not Registered Yet? No problem.
Do you want Strolenati super powers? Registering. That's how you get super powers! These are just a couple powers you receive with more to come as you participate.
- Upvote and give XP to encourage useful comments.
- Work on submissions in private or flag them for assistance.
- Earn XP and gain levels that give you more site abilities (super powers).
- You should register. All your friends are doing it!
? Responses (4)
He reminds me of an anti-Green Arrow. Very well written.
I will check in with you game updates to see how this dude was received and used. I really like any write up that includes something as thoughtful as your intent and design section. Here are some questions you can toss around in your head
If remove the brainwash, or deprogram the character how would he act? Do you consider him to be a victim and if so how will you present that angle to your players?
Who calls him he wraith? Does he call himself this? Is it a title known to a select underworld few?
He would seem to understand human emotion, based on his social skill,even if he doesn't care for it. If he is sadistic though, than he is not indifferent to the feelings of others, indeed the feelings of other is something he would care about, all be it in a negative fashion. Is he particularly disturb or annoyed by those happy people.
Does he have a trusted staff or servant?
Who does he respect or who would he respect, aside from the Locust?
The Wraith is a creation of his mind, as well as the title used by others (both in the know and in rumors) to talk about his actions.
Levi truly was an empty and devoid person, even before the brainwashing. Without it, his first action would likely be to ruthlessly try and kill the Locust for using him.
Levi has a very penetrating view of human emotion- it is critical to how well he can manipulate others- a view that does nothing to persuade him that humanity is worthwhile. His own feelings, urges and goals are more important than the feelings of anyone else. Understanding others is a means to control and manipulate others, nothing more.
I may create such a servant at a later time. This is an aspect of the character I probably really should address.
A good character - he feels to me like an evil Batman. Rich, well trained and a great physical specimen.
Image Links are broken.
