Roman
The Basics
♥ Character Name: Roman
♥ Age: Late thirties to early fifties
♥ Gender/Pronouns: Unknown, They/Them pronouns (although they do not mind being called him or her pronouns either)
♥ Species: Human (?)
♥ Occupation: Doctor/Biologist/Scientist
♥ Faceclaim: Elieen the Crow from Bloodborne
♥ Do you play any other characters on this site? If so, who?: N/A
Strengths/Abilities
Knowledge: Roman is, first and foremost, a doctor and scientist, and is well versed in human biology, medical procedures and, more recently, the nature of souls, determination and magic. They believe that intellect and logic serves humanity the best, and as such, values such things above all else. They usually have a few medical supplies with them just in case.
Magic: Doctor Roman is descended from a strong line of human mages and monster hunters, secretive in their ways and passionate in their traditions. For most of their life, all Roman could do was read the tomes the ancestors left behind. However, recent events now allow them to use energy in particular ways, mostly using telekinetic force to push objects or people. If enough force is concentrated in one spot, it may cause an object to implode.
Swords: With recent rumors and their natural distrust of monsters, Roman has taken to carrying around two twisted swords at their side in the few months past. They are fairly certain that they will be useful against most monsters, or at least scary enough to warn people away from fighting them.
Frozen in Place: Biologically, Roman is frozen in time, and does not need the same things a biological creature needs anymore. They have no need for food, water or sleep, nor do they seem to age or have any other biological functions.
Inabilities/Weaknesses
Fragile Soul; Broken Body: Roman, in all aspects of their nature, is really quite feeble. Their body, though it has no need for upkeep, is weak and has little endurance, easily affected by pain or becoming out of breath if pushed. Their physical form, under the robes and mask, is a strange contortion of lacerated skin, exposed bone, and generally ruined body parts. But of even more concern is the state of Roman's soul. Like a punishment for playing God, Roman has little, if any Determination, and their soul is frozen in time just before its breaking point. Should any attack hit Roman's soul directly, their soul would shatter with no chance of coming back. Manipulation of time (such as the power to save, load or reset) also causes fluctuations in Roman's frozen state, causing them great pain, or possibly killing them outright.
Strange Unknowns: The damage to Roman's soul has also affected many parts of their memories, erased swaths of areas they had studied and other general knowledge. They seem to have a peculiar Germanic or Russian accent, though they cannot remember any German or Russian. Their strange appearance also leaves people wondering if they truly are human or if they are some kind of monster or hybrid, or perhaps something else entirely. Roman has no answer for them.
New to Battle: Though Roman has picked up both sword and magic, they are relatively inexperienced with both. A trained warrior, even with the least amount of experience, would be able to best them, and as such, Roman avoids battle as much as possible.
Personality
Logical: Logic is one of Roman's most basic tenants. They often regard emotional decisions as rash and prefers to think carefully about how they go about things. This can sometimes be seen as indecisiveness, but the doctor believes it is more important to make the right decision rather than the fastest or easiest one.
Kind: As a doctor, Roman does care about the wellbeing of people, and is naturally drawn to nurturing and assisting those who are in need of help. They do have a certain bias against monsters, but even so, Roman is uncomfortable seeing anyone in pain, and will treat anyone that could use their abilities.
Distant: And yet, as kind as they can be, Roman tends to distance themselves at a certain point, seeming a bit aloof or absentminded. They are more fond of acquaintances than trusted friends, even more so after the damage to their soul was done. Overall, Roman is courteous and compassionate, but not trusting.
Obsessive about cleanliness: If you really want to bother Roman, simply lead them into a dirty room or give them a pile of papers in the wrong order. The doctor will soon be muttering and flitting about, restoring order to chaos. Perhaps the only time they truly become irascible is when they see someone be messy on purpose or simply not care about their surrounds.
Life Story
Tomes are the main thing that Roman received from their family. Books that detailed the war between the monsters and humans; how the monsters were set on taking the human soul and becoming so powerful none could stop them. Roman's ancestors had fought in that war, using their magic and might to strike down their foes, and even after the war, hunted down those that escaped being put underground. It was for the safety of humankind, after all. And to continue this, the mages and warriors scribed down their spells so that future generations would be able to protect humanity. Roman was not one of those among them.
Roman turned out to be the black sheep of their family. While the others in their clan were gifted magicians and hunters and were taught how dangerous and soul-hungry monsters were, Roman seemed to have no magic at all, and they studied the war but could not fully believe every bit of what was written. Surely humans were justified somehow to start a war, but if monsters were that powerful, then how had the humans won? Roman turned from their family and went their own way, and happened upon something that appealed more to them--something less blinded by emotion and proven by study and facts. Science became Roman's passion.
But all of these are vague memories for Roman now--fragments of a splintered soul that can't quite recall things. The only time that Roman remembers now is how their soul got that way.
Roman's studies had them come across a group of scientists who were unsure that monsters working with the newfound 'Determination' was a good thing. Like Roman, all they knew was that a monster who obtained a human soul somehow would be nigh impossible to stop--and it was up to them to ensure that didn't happen, or at least that they had a way to eliminate such a monster. They scoured ancient texts, and found in Roman's family heirlooms a description of how a person with enough Determination could manipulate even time itself. It was something that would give Humans the upper-hand for good. The scientists worked secretly for months attempting to recreate some fashion of saving a point in time or resetting to a different point. They were certain they could replicate it... but they only invited catastrophe.
An experiment to save a point in time collapsed, and time warped around the group of scientists and destroyed their bodies and souls, skewed them out of space and time and ripped them apart. Some died, for certain. Others... Roman is unsure about. As for Roman themselves, the doctor still is unsure of the extent of the damage done to their body and soul... it leaves more questions than answers. Their Determination seemed all but gone, their soul almost crushed. Were they a man? A woman? Can they even be called human anymore or were they now a monster? Was their body water or magic? Magic now ran through their veins, the gift of their predecessors finally bestowed upon them... but it seemed like a hollow victory as they were a step away from eternal death.
But they looked like a monster rather than a human, so for the sake of their own sanity, Roman returned to their roots and donned a hunter's garb and took up swords they never had an interest in before. They had heard the rumors, after all. It was better to be safe than sorry. For the time being, they would keep quiet, keep searching for information, and avoid conflict. Perhaps there was a way to reverse this, some way to force time to rewind. Perhaps the souls of monsters could sustain Roman... or perhaps another human soul would repair their own. Such a grievous sin would be hard for Roman to do... but what was one more sin upon a pile of many?
Sample Roleplay
It was hard to walk around during the daylight these days. It was foggy, to be certain, but Roman often remembered sunny, briskly cold mornings like these as a delightful time to take a stroll through a park, wrapped tightly in soft scarves and plush coats. They were certainly wrapped up tightly now... but in much less soft garments. Even so, Roman pressed forward in the morning light, despite their appearance. Some people would stare, but many did not. It seemed that ten years of having monsters above ground meant that sights such as Roman were more commonplace.
The Doctor entered the small drugstore they had been frequenting (for at least as long as they had been in this area) and picked up a little handbasket. Their supplies had gotten a bit low over the past few days, and picking up some gauze, tape, and a few other odds and ends would round things out nicely. They moved down the aisles awkwardly, lumbering like a large black mass of feathers, picking up an item here and there. They only paused when they heard a crash, and they looked behind them, only to see not too far off a little child who had most likely tripped.
Setting down their basket, Roman padded forward towards the boy and sank down to their haunches just a foot away,
"Ah, my young friend," They said in hushed tones, words tinged by their Germanic accent,
"I hope you have not, ah, injured yourself, have you?" The only response the boy had to this strange figure was to burst into tears, making Roman recoil with the surprising and sudden reaction.
"Erm... ah... oh. Where... where might your mother be?" Although Roman did not know why they asked that; it was unlikely they would be getting a response anytime soon.