Variance

2012-12-15T06:48:26Z

Variance:

{{CharacterBio | color = #DDA0DD | picture = variance.png | name = Variance| age = -1 | race = former Reploid | affiliation = None | status = Deceased? | caption = Formerly known as 'FMS-05X'}}

The fifth, and ultimately last, in a series of [[reploids]] carrying the experimental "Force Manipulation Stratagem" system, which got a lot of publicity in 21XX being (mis)advertised as everything from a superior replacement for traditional plasma weapons, a super-effective method of Maverick apprehension, and even a full-on environmental cleanup system. In reality, the system's true purpose was still a grey area past all the demos of things like water purification and fancy light shows. The FMS development team had pinned all their hopes on this, model FMS-05X, to show the world that Earth wasn't completely beyond saving with perhaps the nice side effect of putting all that weird PR to rest.

Variance never got the chance to set the record straight, however, even after his stunning success as being the only one in the line to not suffer a catastrophic failure of some kind. (don't ask what happened to 01X-04X) The night of his big reveal to society didn't turn out to plan as a strange rift whisked him away to a much different world.

With only a few months of life under his belt, Variance was left to his own designs. He spent much of his early days wandering the Cleft at large, searching for something solid to hold on to. The closest things he had to a purpose were the collection of Maverick Hunters press material his dev team had him hold on to and a cryptic, repeated line from his creator: "I made you to live." While the latter was a bit tough for him considering he had little idea what "living" meant, he was fortunate enough to find solace in a budding branch of the Maverick Hunters housed right outside [[Truce]]. Rather more unfortunately, he was also formally introduced to a live Maverick by the name of [[Vice]], which only served to strengthen his resolve to become a Hunter.

Though the Truce Hunters, he not only found a viable purpose in life, but found an ally in [[Seikou]] with whom he formed a strong friendship. The two spent their early careers comfortably, though with the same sort of strife that comes with working for a policing agency. Notable is several encounters Variance had with [[Vice]], who attempted to infect the Hunter with the Maverick Virus at least once. Fortunately, that particular instance failed, though it led to [[Vice]] changing tack and targeting one who was already partway there: [[Seikou]]. With several, all-too-effective plots to break Seikou's will, centered around lies involving Variance himself and a reploid woman the two had befriended, [[Aura]], it was only a matter of time before Variance found himself subduing his truest friend and confidant. While neither of them were truly disabled, the fight left Variance with a vicious wound and with it a modified strain of the Maverick Virus.

Shortly after the encounter, Variance began to be contacted by [[Mana Spirits|Dryads]], concerned for [[Aura]]'s well-being and hoping Variance could do something to keep her heart calm. Between [[Seikou]] being willfully incarcerated, [[Aura]] worrying herself sick about him, and several strange encounters with another off-kilter reploid throwing his opinions of justice into question, it was hardly a simple task. Weeks went by, all three parties under their own flavors of torment, until [[Aura]] finally got her chance to see [[Seikou]]. Close to deactivation by the Hunters' hand, [[Seikou]] regained control and was soon released.

Life went back to normal for a time. Variance got to resume his duties, even rejoining [[Seikou]] on duty once his own probation was over. Unfortunately, there was the tiny issue of Variance's own infection -- that surfaced painfully on him on at least one occasion -- which he himself had to admit to once a certain technician informed the Hunters' leader of [[Seikou]] not being truly cured. Since infected Hunters don't go over as well outside the original organization, he and [[Seikou]] both were expelled. While [[Seikou]] had more time to build his relationship with [[Aura]], Variance(while happy for them) was left listless, his purpose for being thrown into question once again.

Consequently, that point was when strange things began happening around [[Truce]], leading to the exposition of a war between the gods. Events led to [[Jango]] being pointed out as the culprit, most likely due to him stealing away [[Aura]](kind of a gigantic giveaway there). This, paired with his strain of the Virus taking a turn for the worse, makes it easy to say that Variance was having something of a bad day/week/span of months.

Eventually, Variance and a small group of Truce citizens and regulars gathered and traveled to [[Arlia]] under the offer of sanctuary from the brunt of the war courtesy of [[Ageatii]]. The affair blew over successfully with little fanfare on the physical world, leaving Variance to carry out his end of the agreement with [[Ageatii]]: seclusion from civilization. After leaving [[Arlia]], he found a cozy little glade in [[Coronar Lowlands|Oreyndur Forest]] and settled down. It was an opportune time to both get himself closer to this [[Mana]] he'd been philosophizing about for so long, and maybe do something about that whole Maverick Virus thing. (SPOILER: HE USES TRAP THE SOUL ON THE MAVERICK VIRUS I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING) Fortunately, Variance found some company in [[Seikou]], a frequent visitor despite the whole seclusion thing.

Of course, once Destiny comes knocking, it doesn't stop. Following a stint as a reploid spiritual healer and a brief Dryad freak-out, Variance found himself searching out [[Lilly]], who in turn granted him admittance to the [[Mana Holyland]]. There, word of the Dark Manabeast's awakening led to the presentation of the [[Mana Sword]]; it was likely he would end up fighting either the Dark Manabeast itself or the very Flammie he arrived on, driven berserk in its duty to protect [[Mana]]. With his task set and some of his own uncertainties set to rest, Variance returned to the world at large, with nothing to do but wait and prepare.

As time is wont to do, it marched on. The cry rang out and the Hero responded. Regretful to leave [[Seikou]](and his newborn [[Ambience|dreamchild]]) on his own, Variance made his move, finding the berserk Manabeast in the outmost reaches of the [[Sulfataska Mountains]]. The battle was vicious, if exceedingly private, and drove Variance to his absolute limit. In his last moments, he did the one thing he was extraordinarily good at: kicking the Third Law to the curb and inflicting massive self-injury to get the job done. A single Megamagic with the [[Mana Sword]] as a lightning rod finally did the Beast in. As would happen to anyone using that spell at the very last possible moment, Variance died from the effort.

Might have been a pleasant afterlife, though it seemed [[Ageatii]] had other plans. Citing a conflict between Variance's acceptance of death and strong ties to those still living, the immortal that secluded him offered him a second chance at life, albeit in a different form. Realizing his promise to [[Seikou]] to return and frankly panicked at the proposal of becoming a shadole should he not make his decision quickly, Variance accepted. His soul was transferred into a device crafted by [[Carsanquay]] and used to induce a pregnancy in [[Ageatii]]'s chosen vessel, [[Mizo]]. (puts a whole new spin on the term "DNA Soul", doesn't it?)

...But what happened to the device after that? Did Variance's soul ever leave it?

In the strange concurrence of realms that is the Cleft, could a drifting soul reach out to another?

[[Category:Player Characters]]

Lowell

2012-12-15T06:40:13Z

Variance:

{{CharacterBio | color=#C1B5ED | name=Lowell | picture=anonymous.png | caption=No Picture Available | age=16 | race=[[Human]] | status=Alive | affiliation=None}}

==Description==
===Appearance===
The most notable thing about this normal among normals would probably be his hair: pale, sandy blonde with visible white strands, trimmed vaguely to neck length with all the skill expected of someone using nothing but a pocket knife for a barbering implement. His eyes place a close second, if one gets close enough to tell, being a humble brown just light enough to make out against his pupils. He seems to have adjusted well to being out in the sun, only bearing the faintest signs of tanning.

Lowell favors practical clothing over being fashionable and is almost never seen without a pitchfork nearby.
===Attitude===
Lowell is generally agreeable, with a strong respect of authority. Being in the most tumultuous years for [[humans]], he can be a bit loose with his opinions and has yet to build a strong belief system, but he has a fair grasp of right and wrong and tries to keep himself on the good side of proper. Recently formed the conviction to help those in need after an insightful conversation with [[Lilly|Lillian]], though it has become tentative since the aftermath of a particular encounter in [[Truce]].

==Abilities==
===Combat===
In what very, very little combat Lowell has been involved in, he has shown to have knowledge enough to try to disarm rather than rush in blindly. Seeing as he managed both those at the same time, however, this may simply be a case of beginner's luck.
===Skills===
*'''Cantrips:''' Lowell's very minor knowledge of magic allows him to conjure small illusions, nothing more complex than a few sparks or feelings of warmth or cold. He practices from time to time, but no one's caught him casting any actual spells of yet.

==History==
===Background===
Lowell is a Cleft native, hailing from the small farming town of [[Tonoe]]. He spent much of his early life there, raised by a fairly well-off ranch family who intended to teach him in their given trade. A pretty normal childhood, to say the least. When he wasn't being taught how to bale hay by hand or tidying up the ranch's checkbooks, however, he would slip off to the middle of town and get some words in with some of the myriad travelers passing through. Tales of strange beasts, fantastic events, and all the wonders of the world piqued his imagination, sprouting the first inkling of wanderlust in the humble farmhand.

It was this exciting, varied interaction that would ultimately get him out of the village -- following an explanation to the folks, of course -- and on his way to Truce. With little more than a handful of food, the clothes on his back, and his trusted pitchfork, the young adventurer strode out to find his place in the world.

He immediately got himself hired on a farm.
===Recent Activity===
Currently, Lowell is tending to a small farm plot south of [[Truce]] part-time for Prometheus, as repayment for the latter's kindness to a tired, thirsty kid who had marched up from [[Coronar Lowlands|Coronar]] almost non-stop. While he still sees to this duty, it's been placed on temporary hiatus seeing as he's also currently resting at Selan's clinic in Truce.

On a routine visit to the city to sell crops, he picked up a ticket to a Halloween party along with some very conflicting thoughts on the prudence of saving the damsel in distress, courtesy of Sweetie Pie and [[Vava]]. Incidentally, he missed that party on account of losing track of time.

On another routine visit, this time to look for new and interesting seeds to plant, Lowell had a rather traumatic experience in a particular cave. In this case, "traumatic" should be read as "near-fatal"; intending to sneak in and decide whether to report what or whoever was in the place to the guards back in Truce, Lowell followed an obvious lure and was drafted as a test subject in a barbaric experiment involving various creatures of the canyon driven mad with rage. He managed to escape by means yet unknown, as every attempt made thus far to explain the situation to himself or others has devolved into shaking and incoherent rambling.

[[Category:Player Characters]]

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Variance

Lowell