Post by Killiak on Sept 20, 2018 3:41:40 GMT
Basic Information
Name: Ludwig von Einst
Alias/Nickname: The White Swordsman, God Killer Einst, Vanza
Call-Sign: Vanishing Moon
Race: Half Human/ Valkyrion
Age: 23 (Apparent)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 245 lbs
Blood Type: Unknown
Place of Birth: Mideel, Xenogaia
Date of Birth: Unknown
Class: Swordsman
Occupation: Space Pirate
Affiliation: Yggdrasil Crew Space Pirates
Rank/Job: Off and On again Drifter
Alignment: Good (?)
Appearance
Einst is a man of sheer elegance; grace incarnate as he's been called, as well as a man of sheer terror. His build is fairly large compared to the average, with a large though superbly toned musculature on a tall and broad frame, his stature speaks of physical power and agility alike. His skin is as white as snow and not long ago his body had been smothered with tattoos and the markings of an ancient descent. He was covered from head to toe with a uniform tattoo which cradled the eyes in claw-like lines, spreading in broad spirals of solid black. However; after his recent disappearance, there occurred some changes, including the permanent removal of these tattoos.
What really gives Einst his menacing visage are his piercing jade eyes, liken to jewels reflecting the deepest horrors known to the Multiverse across untold eons. Sharp, taut facial features accentuate his unforgiving nature, while his hair is a brilliant blond, extending well past his shoulder blades. Only a few short months prior, his hair was somewhat short-to-medium in length. The change in his hair, his increase in muscle mass and the simple wear of his clothing suggest an unnaturally long and arduous journey...
Seemingly at all times, Einst sports a pristine, white trench coat lined with sapphire stripes in a cross-shaped pattern along the seams of the arms and across the center of his back. Complimenting the coat is a set of loose fitting cargo pants, gunmetal grey in color; pair of specifically crafted white boots with a narrow toe, a wide sole the color of an azure sky with titanium buckles as opposed to laces. The only variation to Einst's ensemble is his shirts, which are fitted long sleeve shirts with a cross in black or white across the chest and abdomen, with the rest being an assortment of dark blue, black, white, silver, or red.
Personality
Imagine for a moment, someone so deeply rooted with pain and loss that the consideration for emotional, physical or spiritual comfort has all but vanished. The hardships endured by the man known only as "Einst", though more commonly the "White Swordsman", have thoroughly carved his persona with violence. At all times, he is calculating, analyzing and cold. If "his" crew survives, all other consideration to the outcome goes out the window. In his recent escapades over the years, Einst has more than proven himself as capable of tackling any mission and executing it flawlessly. To him, there is no "off duty" or outside of battle mentality, as the war in his mind is constantly thriving.
Now that Einst has successfully escaped his imprisonment, his identity has nearly transformed entirely. If one were to ask any member of the Yggdrasil Crew, they'd be able to tell of Einst's raw hatred for the man responsible for the death of his family. There used to never be a moment when the White Swordsman wasn't holding back a fit of rage. Well, after fighting tooth and nail for the survival of his very soul, it becomes easier to come to terms with one's inner strife. Einst realized that bringing peace to his family's memory will never happen if he is consumed by lust for vengeance.
Yet, hidden beneath his tranquil surface there sleeps a different animosity. For what? Easy; who wouldn't be pissed off at the person(s) who locked their ass up? One might say that he is more concerned with establishing a peaceful lifestyle, after he's had his payback. So long consumed by war and strife, Einst feels that an end to his journey is close at hand.
Well, one can hope anyway.
Skills, Powers and Abilities
Iron Serpent: The style which carried Einst through the stars to the top of the Heaven's in his might. The Iron Serpent is his own creation, taking no influence from a previously established form or technique, instead spawned out of Einst's sheer genius amidst the chaos of battle. Iron Serpent focuses--no, it lives and breathes raw fluidity. Each and every technique one in the same, Einst has, in the most dire of situations, linked the entire discipline together in an unending (until the opponent's own ending) string of attacks. It is utilized primarily with a bastard sword, specifically the Valkyrie, but can be used with any manner of sword.
War Dance of the Falling Sky: This is a precise execution of movements which put the user out of harm's way, from any manner of physical attack. An ancient calculation of the physics of warfare, depending on when the user initiates the Dance will determine what nature of positions result, be it defensive, offensive or 'merely tactical'. Whether it is divine intervention through ether-enhanced methods or cold hard calculated physical drive is not truly known, nor where Einst happened to learn this unique skill. However, most conclude he adopted it from the nightmare known as Killiak.
Saiki Kanuma Ryuu: Despite Einst's overwhelming skill within the vast school of Swordsmanship, he still makes use of this school by itself. An indoor form utilizing both sword and saya for offensive and defensive strikes, it focuses primarily on countering an opponent's every attack. It is believed that when wielded by Einst, there is no attack that he cannot fend off with relative ease, and turn the tide of battle in his favor.
Mizoguchi Haitou Ryuu: More commonly known as the Gatotsu, this is a tried and true technique revolved around the perfect thrust. Within the core techniques, the user generates tremendous power through the legs (primarily, some techniques utilizing strictly upper body strength) to yield a fatal stabbing attack which can be aimed to the user's preference on any given target. Normally capable of tearing the hardest of armors asunder, its power is even greater under Einst's hand. Over the course of Einst's unusual life time, he has adapted the style to be used with his bastard sword as opposed to only the popular, curved Katana blade, as well as come up with a few new techniques of his own.
Kenki: The Swordsman's Spirit, or the highly tuned senses a swordsman develops through countless battles. Mere experience gets a warrior so far, but when he develops his senses to preemptively identify his opponent's intentions, the warrior maintains a constant edge over his opponent. As the name suggests, there is more at work than simple physical observation, the warrior's chi (or some other form of ether), maps the intent of those around him.
Divine Shield-EX: What it is and what it does are really anyone's guess. Einst never refers to having this ability or of its existence, and as such no one knows it does indeed exist. It is the reason why none have ever succeeded in reading Einst's mind, his emotions (if there are any left), or his proper energy pattern. Constantly modifying his parameters from those previously mentioned, even down to his physical body language, there is always something off about Einst. Like his predecessor, Einst is virtually an impossible opponent to read anything into, this Shield enabling the warrior to completely overload even the most complex sensory arrays, despite requiring a conscious increase to the activity of this ability. Its source is Einst himself, his unique body generating these augmentations. Therefore, it is inherently limited to his intent; however, he is incapable of a complete, all-encompassing cover-up. Defined, the Shield makes Einst appear to be 'there but not completely'.
Lucid Edge: Unlike his predecessor, Einst has devoted his life to understanding the path of taking up the Sword. With each battle, training session, or simply journey, Einst seeks ultimate harmony of his expansive repertoire. As perceived from his enemies, Einst is quite adept at combining entirely different natures of techniques to form devastating attacks, completely unorthodox to traditional Swordsmen. As such, this greatly adds to Einst’s unpredictability in battle. He’s even been known to use more than one sword at a time with no show of encumbrance.
Instant Transmission: Though Einst rarely uses this, he is well known as a user of this high-speed maneuver. By focusing on a solitary point in space, limited only by the mental capacity of the user, one can instantaneously move through space-time to said point. Capable of moving the user, all effects on their person or in contact with their body (to include ships or mecha units).
Heavy Metal Training: From his younger days to the present, Einst has always utilized weighted training accessories, clothing, even armor and weapons. This started as one hundred pounds' extra weight has elevated to several dozen tons in the most extreme conditions. Furthermore, Einst's recent interactions with the inter-dimensional Super Demon Ishida has had Einst training in increased gravity environments. The last recorded augmentation was 1500 times the gravity of Xenogaia (identical to Earth's gravity). Naturally, this nature of training has significantly increased Einst's already staggering stamina, strength, agility and raw physical speed. The augmented gravity training (coupled with being battered by a Super Demon like a rag doll) also yielded tremendous increases to his mental durability and focus.
Conflagration of War: Another ability which has barely surfaced, Einst has a unique knack for large scale battles. The more opponent's he is faced with, the more tuned his senses become, his reflexes increase, and the stronger his attacks become. Likewise, as the battle becomes more chaotic, it's as if Einst himself gains power. There is no going rumor to the explanation of this phenomenon. Finally, should Einst incur injury whilst using this ability (and only while it's active), he has the option of executing a hellish attack instantly to keep the scales tipped in his favor.
Perfect Balance: Combined with his Heavy Metal Training, this skill saw vast improvement under the extreme stress of increased gravity. Einst's awesome sense of balance grants him a level of stamina not attainable by most, letting not a single movement go wasted and always acting with utmost efficiency. This is also true of his ethereal output, every drop of energy the man uses going to a specific use and purpose.
Ethereal Attunement: Different from his Perfect Balance, Einst is a natural when it comes to all forms of Ether. Specifically, of the nature of magic, Einst's spirit and physical body alike offer no resistance while channeling, conjuring, or manipulating the ether around him. This obviously allows for wickedly fast and thoroughly efficient casting, augmenting, summoning, etc.
The Forbidden Techniques: A seemingly endless, widespread tree of hellishly powerful techniques known only to two beings. The Forbidden Techniques number far too many to list in whole. These techniques are weapon-specific to the Tenrai Hibiki, recognizable by the summoning and execution of Glyphs housed within the blade itself. A terrible curse lies within these techniques, its wrath as vast as the attacks themselves. This is a rarely used option in Einst's ancient book of knowledge, each use bringing the man close to the brink of death regardless of any advancement in his stamina.
Forbidden Magic: From birth, Einst has had an unrivaled affinity toward Magic in any form he's come across. This affinity was so great in fact that his father forbade him from ever using his natural skills in battle with anything but a genuinely evil being, and so at the tender age of six subjected his son to the Sacred Ritual of Order. Then, literally everything the man knew about his life changed. It did not occur overnight, no, rather it took several years for the man to not just break free of the chains shackled to him practically at birth. Within the Void itself, where all else existed solely to weaken or destroy him, the White Swordsman eventually wound up relying heavily on all his greatest strengths, his magic included.
In short, the three seals governing Einst's use of magic are long-since gone. With the all too real risk of tearing himself apart, Einst managed to erase the Seals entirely, and assume complete control over the intense aptitude he has for all Magic. Able to absorb, channel, and conjure magical ether at his command, his body now only suffers damage when he casts the spell, rather than always.
Weapons
Weapon Name: Valkyrie
Weapon Type: Bastard Sword
Weapon Position: Slung across Back, over his coat
Weapon Description: A bastard sword measuring seven feet in length with an even width of fourteen inches. The blade itself is gleaming platinum in color; the cutting edge which wraps around from one side to the other so bright it's virtually white, gradually narrowing down to half the original width just before the razor sharp point. The hilt is of a glimmering gold, modest in design, the handle a metallic-finished leather binding ending in a large four-inch diameter sapphire. Said pommel hosts a seemingly living spirit inside, constantly twisting and churning in a whitish cloudy manner. This massive and beautiful sword rests inside a truly elaborate scabbard the color of blood with gold finishing and binding, riddled with various precious jewels of an ancient decree.
Weapon Background: An ancient blade passed onto Einst from his father which was in fact his father's personal blade. While nestled within this scabbard, the sword's power is perfectly sealed from the outside world. Older than Einst himself, the extent even he is bereft of knowing, not a single blemish or imperfection is to be found. The crew itself has witnessed the White Swordsman turn armored bunkers into scrap metal with the utmost of ease, and never loses its cutting edge. Also to note, the scabbard is as impervious to attacks as the weapon itself. Naturally, to house such a monstrous weapon, it would have to be. Due to its enormity, Einst can only wear it slung across his back?
On a darker note, the Valkyrie hosts a frightening ability seen only twice in battle. Upon command, the sword releases a variety of chants which literally tear the fabric of space apart, distorting what at first appear to only be sound vibrations. Within seconds, the distortion worsens and all manner of ethereal conjuring soon bends to its will, with physical matter being outright obliterated. There are several methods of this manipulation of which Einst can (even if only barely) commandeer. His last use of this ability however proved nearly fatal for Einst, a testament to how dangerous this weapon truly is, and he is therefore afraid to even think of drawing it again. Should he choose to wield the Valkyrie again, it could very well mean the end for him and those who are so unfortunate to be in the area; perhaps not an immediate destruction, rather the bringing of something far worse than death itself.
During Einst's recent imprisonment, he was faced with the decision to either cease to exist entirely, or call upon his ancient weapon's power once again. It was choosing the latter that undoubtedly saved Einst's being from the horrors encroaching on his soul. The sheer amount of time locked apart from all other realms allowed Einst to attain perfect harmony with the weapon. Now that his understanding of the weapon is complete, he wields the weapon with a deadly grace and a purpose his ancestors can no longer fault him for.
Weapon Composition: Unknown, Indestructible.
Weapon Name: Tenrai Hibiki
Weapon Type: Katana
Weapon Position: Left hip, concealed under coat
Weapon Description: Without a doubt, one of the most frightening weapons ever to exist. Despite its power, the Tenrai as it is referred to in short, holds a peaceful appearance. While sheathed, its beauty puts all else to shame, from its pure silver (in appearance only) tsuba of traditional oval shape, reflective of even the faintest light, to its pristine white-silk wrapped tsuka with a cross-weave Z-pattern, down to the obsidian hued saya, smothered in ancient runes etched in the ancient tongue only he and its creator hold any knowledge of, complimented with a navy-blue sash the weapon truly inspires awe to its beholders. Once removed, those unfortunate to witness it, bear witness to a tranquil blue blade some six feet in length with a perfect gradual curve.
Weapon Background: Initially when Einst received this weapon he did not understand what it truly was. At that time, which was just over six thousand years ago in his timeline, Einst was considered a truly gifted, prodigious Swordsman in his own right; however, no amount of skill, power, or knowledge he had amassed could have ever prepared him to handle the Tenrai. Taking the blade in hand, he felt His presence infiltrate his very being, without even removing it from its sheath. Naturally, this terrified Einst, nightmares only the strongest of wills could see their way out of plaguing his mind every night. Einst went on for ten straight years before he could work up enough resolve to wield the frightening blade in battle. It was on that day that Einst began his path toward becoming the one true disciple of that freakishly powerful being known only as Killiak.
Weapon Composition: Pure Zeranium, Zeranz Essence (See section Other Pertinent Information)
Weapon Name: Ochitsuita
Weapon Type: Katana
Weapon Position: Left hip, concealed under coat
Weapon Description: The Ochitsuita, or Ochi for short, is one of the simplest looking weapons ever owned by Einst. A light walnut in color, at first glance it appears to be a single length of wood bearing a slight curve like the Tenrai Hibiki. A closer look and one can see the fine workmanship that went into it. When drawn, the blade concealed within the wood is revealed to have a mirrored finish. One look at the blade and the extreme attention to detail by its forger is clear, with complex characters worked into the blade. Said characters are only highlighted by the mirrored finish and run the entire length of the blade, which measures some forty-two inches.
Weapon Background: When Einst was found waiting for the Crew on Tizon, he was seen wearing this sword. It is safe to assume that he came to own the weapon during his yet unexplained disappearance from the Vestusio campaign against the 44th Dimensional Fleet. Eventually, he may or may not tell the Crew that he received the weapon as a gift from his host, master, and friend Garteo on Killiak’s home-world of Zerania.
Weapon Composition: Unknown (See section Other Pertinent Information)
Armor
Lyon's Crest Mk.II- The first model of this bracer destroyed in combat, this new version has received heavy modifications to make up for the short-comings of the first. A dull gunmetal matte finish, this bracer covers from just beneath Einst's knuckles, wraps snugly about his middle finger spreading over his palm with a solitary jade stone at the center (the malleable material an earthy brown tone), and extends to just beneath the base of his elbow. The joint of the wrist and hand is inter-woven segmented Meta-Titanium, sections measuring less than one thirty-seconds of an inch with an over-under and across pattern. This provides for maximum maneuverability with virtually zero structural weakness liken to traditional joints in armor. Clearly, for this one feature alone, a master smith was involved. The main section covering the forearm is composed of a Meta-Titanium, further enhanced with the peculiar jade stones embedded in a perfect diamond outline of the male Lion's head carved out of the center, its open maw holding a solitary, unidentified white jewel. This bracer completely wraps around Einst's forearm and actively stabilizes kinetic energy upon contact, thanks mostly in part to the jade stones. Should an attack be strong enough to get past this first line of defense, the time-proven durability of the Meta-Titanium material is more than enough to fend off the most vicious of physical strikes, blasts, and powerful ether attacks. The malleable material the armor is attached to is a hollow shell taken from scales of a dreadful Shadow-Mantoise, which naturally reduces vibration to a mere tickle leaving Einst chuckling after fending off an attack. The Lyon's Crest Mk.II weighs several hundred pounds, mere child's play for the White Swordsman.
Accessories
Swordman's Insigne-A jade-hued, metallic necklace. It is of miniature rectangular, metallic blocks no thicker than a few sheets of paper stacked together. At the center of each of these rectangles is a smaller rectangle, hued in silver; this simple necklace protects Einst from all status ailments, and is made of a material thought to be related to the Tenrai.
Background Information
Biography- A traveling swordsman, drifting through time and space though not so much time, more the space part. He's just old as dirt, or older. Born on a world he can no longer find his way back to, Ludwig von Einst has long since drifted onto the Yggdrasil. For the last few years, something about three or four, Einst has stayed with the Yggdrasil Space Pirates, opting to help them in their quest to confront the tyrant organization U-TIC for an easy price- General Killiak's head for his own. Driven by fury, controlled through discipline and determined by nobody knows what Einst is a devout warrior and wickedly powerful High Mage. His loyalty to the Captain is second to none, as the two share an eerily similar history. His time within the crew has proven extraordinarily fruitful for Einst, even if it has cost him minor slices of his humanity.
History- Einst is several thousands of years old. Give or take a few years, he's stopped thinking about when he started what he does. Far too elaborate to cover, the basics are as follows:
Born on XenoGaia, Einst lived a humble life. As soon as he was old enough to stand, he picked up the sword and has yet to lay it to rest. A strangely gifted boy, Einst excelled in his father's training. By the age of five, he could spar with the best of his village, blow for blow until his tiny body could offer no more. Within a year he discovered his abilities with magic, and before he was six and a half years old everything he knew was torn apart. Literally, Einst watched his father cut into equal halves by a cloaked madman?
The following ten years of his life are to this day an absent memory to Einst. He lived day to day with a pain in his chest, nearly choking in sorrow and his own tears but he did not know why. Eventually he met his wife, had a child (two to be exact), and settled down in Neo-Midgar. Then Shin-RA came knocking his door in?
A tenacious man, known as Killiak, was alone and unarmed. Hell, the monster didn't need weapons, he looked as if he could rip the entire city apart with those wicked black hands. For seemingly no reason at all, the Turk slaughtered the Einst family, save for Ludwig himself. Even with all his power, he was an utter embarrassment compared to the Turk.
These days, Einst carries on through the stars in search of Killiak, vowed hatred in his eyes and heart. The exact details of his past are shrouded in darkness, though the man has learned of the truth to his childhood and subsequent young adulthood. He refuses to speak of the terrible evils of his past, choosing rather to endure his nightmares in solitude. In more recent times, he had staved off from his search for Killiak, aiding the Yggdrasil Crew in their exploits, learning what life is again. The group traveled far and wide, back through time and returning to the present year, acquiring new allies and enemies alike. Then one day, Einst intercepted a message containing a few obscure details regarding a mission in a nearby sector in space. Something within that message lured Einst to accept it, leading him on a wild goose chase across various planets hunting down scripts. Regardless of the man's plethora of experience and wealth of knowledge, it was written in a tongue he could not comprehend.
Three months into his mission, a month since he had checked in with the Yggdrasil, the mission turned awry. An ambush lay in wait for the man digging up a certain Religious Sect's dirty secrets, and Einst was trapped. The beings he fought were strangely powerful, harboring a type of magic the likes of which he had only crossed a handful of times. They prevented Einst from releasing the seals of his Forbidden Magic, bound him in an unbreakable ethereal chain and cast him into the Void itself.
There, time passed in a non-linear, chaotic web. Every battle brought him near death, the dark memory of his family haunted him day in and day out. Where one victory gifted him Hope, another granted him only despair. After an unknown period, just as Einst was beginning to lose his determination, a new light flooded the dark corridors of his diminishing mind. Faced with his impending end, Einst mustered all the strength he had been holding back to finally release his every inhibition.
The power of the ancient blade Valkyrie coursed its way through his veins once more, and at long last Einst began to drive back the creatures of the void. Ultimately, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to create a rift wide enough for him to escape. The exact details of his perilous journey are largely unknown, but the overall effects were immediately obvious to his comrades. Einst emerged forever changed, carrying with him a darkness that could drink the light of the brightest stars… [TBC]
Other Pertinent Information
Einst, with his far-reaching travels, has had no choice but to become at least averagely proficient with various albeit limited types of technology. Basically, what he claims to know, he knows damn well, such as piloting mecha units, grav-lifts, Gates, basic computer functions and limited networking knowledge. He's even used a firearm or two in his day, not wielded by a giant robotic war-machine.
Furthermore, while it isn't exactly his forte, Einst is a more than adept hand-to-hand combatant. Taken mostly from his training with Killiak and Ishida, Einst knows his way around an unarmed fight, yet doesn't appear to use any identifiable Martial art.
-A summary of Einst's ethereal abilities: Previously, Einst was still governed by the Sacred Ritual of Order which inhibited his abilities with Magic. Out of an insurmountable desire to live, Einst unlocked within himself a veritable enlightenment. In short, Einst attained a level of control that was not possible beforehand, and as such broke free of the shackles emplaced upon him practically since birth. With total freedom of control, what once required a long, timely incantation and tremendous focus in order to obtain, now exists at all times within the warrior. This has unlocked Einst's potential as a warrior to unprecedented heights. Already, he has displayed a tenacious ability to combine the likes of magic and ether together for gruesomely powerful attacks...
-A note on Einst's equipment combinations: The Tenrai Hibiki is incapable of being used in conjunction with his gauntlets. While using his sword, his hand must be bare and not covered by any substance in order to properly control the sword which is a constant necessity. That is not to say that he cannot use one Gauntlet and wield the sword with his free hand, this is perfectly doable.
Mecha Unit Information
Cybuster, Elemental Lord of the Wind - The Cybuster is one of four Elemental Lords, developed by an ancient Kingdom long ago. Due to its blessing by the God of the Wind, Cyfis, it was dubbed "The Elemental Lord of the Wind". It is one of the seventeen Elemental Machines designed to fight the revival of a powerful God of Destruction known as Jashin Volkruss and its minions. This is one of the fastest Elemental Lord units created, and the only one with the ability to transform. Its transformed state, called the Cybird, is capable of attaining even greater speed than the standard mode, making it one of the fastest Mobile Units in existence.
The machine is powered by a Fulcanelli-type Eternal Engine, which operates off the life force of the pilot. Therefore, the stronger the pilot, the more powerful Cybuster becomes. Its armor is made of Orichalconium, an extremely durable alloy with mystical properties. It is constructed in such a way that the arrangement of its particles and geometrical structure provide powerful magical (Ether) protection to the unit. The Cybuster is mechanically similar to the other Elemental Lords, except for the fact that its systems are governed by the Laplace Demon Computer, which has the ability to predict the future. ***DESTROYED***
Technical Information
Model Number: N/A
Model Name: Cybuster
Model Type: Elemental Lord
Manufacturer:
Current Pilot: Ludwig von Einst
Pilot History: ---
Accommodation: Pilot only. Standard cockpit in torso.
Head Height: 28.48 meters
Dry Weight: 38.4 metric tons
Construction: Orichcalconium
Powerplant: Fulcanelli-type Eternal Engine
Propulsion: Ether Wing Super Verniers (x6)
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors, high-detail range. Ether Amplification Engine. Laplace Demon Computer.
Fixed Armaments: ---
Optional Fixed Armaments: ---
Optional Hand Armaments: Zephyr Sword
Additional Parts 1:
Additional Parts 2:
Additional Parts 3:
Name: Ludwig von Einst
Alias/Nickname: The White Swordsman, God Killer Einst, Vanza
Call-Sign: Vanishing Moon
Race: Half Human/ Valkyrion
Age: 23 (Apparent)
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 245 lbs
Blood Type: Unknown
Place of Birth: Mideel, Xenogaia
Date of Birth: Unknown
Class: Swordsman
Occupation: Space Pirate
Affiliation: Yggdrasil Crew Space Pirates
Rank/Job: Off and On again Drifter
Alignment: Good (?)
Appearance
Einst is a man of sheer elegance; grace incarnate as he's been called, as well as a man of sheer terror. His build is fairly large compared to the average, with a large though superbly toned musculature on a tall and broad frame, his stature speaks of physical power and agility alike. His skin is as white as snow and not long ago his body had been smothered with tattoos and the markings of an ancient descent. He was covered from head to toe with a uniform tattoo which cradled the eyes in claw-like lines, spreading in broad spirals of solid black. However; after his recent disappearance, there occurred some changes, including the permanent removal of these tattoos.
What really gives Einst his menacing visage are his piercing jade eyes, liken to jewels reflecting the deepest horrors known to the Multiverse across untold eons. Sharp, taut facial features accentuate his unforgiving nature, while his hair is a brilliant blond, extending well past his shoulder blades. Only a few short months prior, his hair was somewhat short-to-medium in length. The change in his hair, his increase in muscle mass and the simple wear of his clothing suggest an unnaturally long and arduous journey...
Seemingly at all times, Einst sports a pristine, white trench coat lined with sapphire stripes in a cross-shaped pattern along the seams of the arms and across the center of his back. Complimenting the coat is a set of loose fitting cargo pants, gunmetal grey in color; pair of specifically crafted white boots with a narrow toe, a wide sole the color of an azure sky with titanium buckles as opposed to laces. The only variation to Einst's ensemble is his shirts, which are fitted long sleeve shirts with a cross in black or white across the chest and abdomen, with the rest being an assortment of dark blue, black, white, silver, or red.
Personality
Imagine for a moment, someone so deeply rooted with pain and loss that the consideration for emotional, physical or spiritual comfort has all but vanished. The hardships endured by the man known only as "Einst", though more commonly the "White Swordsman", have thoroughly carved his persona with violence. At all times, he is calculating, analyzing and cold. If "his" crew survives, all other consideration to the outcome goes out the window. In his recent escapades over the years, Einst has more than proven himself as capable of tackling any mission and executing it flawlessly. To him, there is no "off duty" or outside of battle mentality, as the war in his mind is constantly thriving.
Now that Einst has successfully escaped his imprisonment, his identity has nearly transformed entirely. If one were to ask any member of the Yggdrasil Crew, they'd be able to tell of Einst's raw hatred for the man responsible for the death of his family. There used to never be a moment when the White Swordsman wasn't holding back a fit of rage. Well, after fighting tooth and nail for the survival of his very soul, it becomes easier to come to terms with one's inner strife. Einst realized that bringing peace to his family's memory will never happen if he is consumed by lust for vengeance.
Yet, hidden beneath his tranquil surface there sleeps a different animosity. For what? Easy; who wouldn't be pissed off at the person(s) who locked their ass up? One might say that he is more concerned with establishing a peaceful lifestyle, after he's had his payback. So long consumed by war and strife, Einst feels that an end to his journey is close at hand.
Well, one can hope anyway.
Skills, Powers and Abilities
Iron Serpent: The style which carried Einst through the stars to the top of the Heaven's in his might. The Iron Serpent is his own creation, taking no influence from a previously established form or technique, instead spawned out of Einst's sheer genius amidst the chaos of battle. Iron Serpent focuses--no, it lives and breathes raw fluidity. Each and every technique one in the same, Einst has, in the most dire of situations, linked the entire discipline together in an unending (until the opponent's own ending) string of attacks. It is utilized primarily with a bastard sword, specifically the Valkyrie, but can be used with any manner of sword.
War Dance of the Falling Sky: This is a precise execution of movements which put the user out of harm's way, from any manner of physical attack. An ancient calculation of the physics of warfare, depending on when the user initiates the Dance will determine what nature of positions result, be it defensive, offensive or 'merely tactical'. Whether it is divine intervention through ether-enhanced methods or cold hard calculated physical drive is not truly known, nor where Einst happened to learn this unique skill. However, most conclude he adopted it from the nightmare known as Killiak.
Saiki Kanuma Ryuu: Despite Einst's overwhelming skill within the vast school of Swordsmanship, he still makes use of this school by itself. An indoor form utilizing both sword and saya for offensive and defensive strikes, it focuses primarily on countering an opponent's every attack. It is believed that when wielded by Einst, there is no attack that he cannot fend off with relative ease, and turn the tide of battle in his favor.
Mizoguchi Haitou Ryuu: More commonly known as the Gatotsu, this is a tried and true technique revolved around the perfect thrust. Within the core techniques, the user generates tremendous power through the legs (primarily, some techniques utilizing strictly upper body strength) to yield a fatal stabbing attack which can be aimed to the user's preference on any given target. Normally capable of tearing the hardest of armors asunder, its power is even greater under Einst's hand. Over the course of Einst's unusual life time, he has adapted the style to be used with his bastard sword as opposed to only the popular, curved Katana blade, as well as come up with a few new techniques of his own.
Kenki: The Swordsman's Spirit, or the highly tuned senses a swordsman develops through countless battles. Mere experience gets a warrior so far, but when he develops his senses to preemptively identify his opponent's intentions, the warrior maintains a constant edge over his opponent. As the name suggests, there is more at work than simple physical observation, the warrior's chi (or some other form of ether), maps the intent of those around him.
Divine Shield-EX: What it is and what it does are really anyone's guess. Einst never refers to having this ability or of its existence, and as such no one knows it does indeed exist. It is the reason why none have ever succeeded in reading Einst's mind, his emotions (if there are any left), or his proper energy pattern. Constantly modifying his parameters from those previously mentioned, even down to his physical body language, there is always something off about Einst. Like his predecessor, Einst is virtually an impossible opponent to read anything into, this Shield enabling the warrior to completely overload even the most complex sensory arrays, despite requiring a conscious increase to the activity of this ability. Its source is Einst himself, his unique body generating these augmentations. Therefore, it is inherently limited to his intent; however, he is incapable of a complete, all-encompassing cover-up. Defined, the Shield makes Einst appear to be 'there but not completely'.
Lucid Edge: Unlike his predecessor, Einst has devoted his life to understanding the path of taking up the Sword. With each battle, training session, or simply journey, Einst seeks ultimate harmony of his expansive repertoire. As perceived from his enemies, Einst is quite adept at combining entirely different natures of techniques to form devastating attacks, completely unorthodox to traditional Swordsmen. As such, this greatly adds to Einst’s unpredictability in battle. He’s even been known to use more than one sword at a time with no show of encumbrance.
Instant Transmission: Though Einst rarely uses this, he is well known as a user of this high-speed maneuver. By focusing on a solitary point in space, limited only by the mental capacity of the user, one can instantaneously move through space-time to said point. Capable of moving the user, all effects on their person or in contact with their body (to include ships or mecha units).
Heavy Metal Training: From his younger days to the present, Einst has always utilized weighted training accessories, clothing, even armor and weapons. This started as one hundred pounds' extra weight has elevated to several dozen tons in the most extreme conditions. Furthermore, Einst's recent interactions with the inter-dimensional Super Demon Ishida has had Einst training in increased gravity environments. The last recorded augmentation was 1500 times the gravity of Xenogaia (identical to Earth's gravity). Naturally, this nature of training has significantly increased Einst's already staggering stamina, strength, agility and raw physical speed. The augmented gravity training (coupled with being battered by a Super Demon like a rag doll) also yielded tremendous increases to his mental durability and focus.
Conflagration of War: Another ability which has barely surfaced, Einst has a unique knack for large scale battles. The more opponent's he is faced with, the more tuned his senses become, his reflexes increase, and the stronger his attacks become. Likewise, as the battle becomes more chaotic, it's as if Einst himself gains power. There is no going rumor to the explanation of this phenomenon. Finally, should Einst incur injury whilst using this ability (and only while it's active), he has the option of executing a hellish attack instantly to keep the scales tipped in his favor.
Perfect Balance: Combined with his Heavy Metal Training, this skill saw vast improvement under the extreme stress of increased gravity. Einst's awesome sense of balance grants him a level of stamina not attainable by most, letting not a single movement go wasted and always acting with utmost efficiency. This is also true of his ethereal output, every drop of energy the man uses going to a specific use and purpose.
Ethereal Attunement: Different from his Perfect Balance, Einst is a natural when it comes to all forms of Ether. Specifically, of the nature of magic, Einst's spirit and physical body alike offer no resistance while channeling, conjuring, or manipulating the ether around him. This obviously allows for wickedly fast and thoroughly efficient casting, augmenting, summoning, etc.
The Forbidden Techniques: A seemingly endless, widespread tree of hellishly powerful techniques known only to two beings. The Forbidden Techniques number far too many to list in whole. These techniques are weapon-specific to the Tenrai Hibiki, recognizable by the summoning and execution of Glyphs housed within the blade itself. A terrible curse lies within these techniques, its wrath as vast as the attacks themselves. This is a rarely used option in Einst's ancient book of knowledge, each use bringing the man close to the brink of death regardless of any advancement in his stamina.
Forbidden Magic: From birth, Einst has had an unrivaled affinity toward Magic in any form he's come across. This affinity was so great in fact that his father forbade him from ever using his natural skills in battle with anything but a genuinely evil being, and so at the tender age of six subjected his son to the Sacred Ritual of Order. Then, literally everything the man knew about his life changed. It did not occur overnight, no, rather it took several years for the man to not just break free of the chains shackled to him practically at birth. Within the Void itself, where all else existed solely to weaken or destroy him, the White Swordsman eventually wound up relying heavily on all his greatest strengths, his magic included.
In short, the three seals governing Einst's use of magic are long-since gone. With the all too real risk of tearing himself apart, Einst managed to erase the Seals entirely, and assume complete control over the intense aptitude he has for all Magic. Able to absorb, channel, and conjure magical ether at his command, his body now only suffers damage when he casts the spell, rather than always.
Weapons
Weapon Name: Valkyrie
Weapon Type: Bastard Sword
Weapon Position: Slung across Back, over his coat
Weapon Description: A bastard sword measuring seven feet in length with an even width of fourteen inches. The blade itself is gleaming platinum in color; the cutting edge which wraps around from one side to the other so bright it's virtually white, gradually narrowing down to half the original width just before the razor sharp point. The hilt is of a glimmering gold, modest in design, the handle a metallic-finished leather binding ending in a large four-inch diameter sapphire. Said pommel hosts a seemingly living spirit inside, constantly twisting and churning in a whitish cloudy manner. This massive and beautiful sword rests inside a truly elaborate scabbard the color of blood with gold finishing and binding, riddled with various precious jewels of an ancient decree.
Weapon Background: An ancient blade passed onto Einst from his father which was in fact his father's personal blade. While nestled within this scabbard, the sword's power is perfectly sealed from the outside world. Older than Einst himself, the extent even he is bereft of knowing, not a single blemish or imperfection is to be found. The crew itself has witnessed the White Swordsman turn armored bunkers into scrap metal with the utmost of ease, and never loses its cutting edge. Also to note, the scabbard is as impervious to attacks as the weapon itself. Naturally, to house such a monstrous weapon, it would have to be. Due to its enormity, Einst can only wear it slung across his back?
On a darker note, the Valkyrie hosts a frightening ability seen only twice in battle. Upon command, the sword releases a variety of chants which literally tear the fabric of space apart, distorting what at first appear to only be sound vibrations. Within seconds, the distortion worsens and all manner of ethereal conjuring soon bends to its will, with physical matter being outright obliterated. There are several methods of this manipulation of which Einst can (even if only barely) commandeer. His last use of this ability however proved nearly fatal for Einst, a testament to how dangerous this weapon truly is, and he is therefore afraid to even think of drawing it again. Should he choose to wield the Valkyrie again, it could very well mean the end for him and those who are so unfortunate to be in the area; perhaps not an immediate destruction, rather the bringing of something far worse than death itself.
During Einst's recent imprisonment, he was faced with the decision to either cease to exist entirely, or call upon his ancient weapon's power once again. It was choosing the latter that undoubtedly saved Einst's being from the horrors encroaching on his soul. The sheer amount of time locked apart from all other realms allowed Einst to attain perfect harmony with the weapon. Now that his understanding of the weapon is complete, he wields the weapon with a deadly grace and a purpose his ancestors can no longer fault him for.
Weapon Composition: Unknown, Indestructible.
Weapon Name: Tenrai Hibiki
Weapon Type: Katana
Weapon Position: Left hip, concealed under coat
Weapon Description: Without a doubt, one of the most frightening weapons ever to exist. Despite its power, the Tenrai as it is referred to in short, holds a peaceful appearance. While sheathed, its beauty puts all else to shame, from its pure silver (in appearance only) tsuba of traditional oval shape, reflective of even the faintest light, to its pristine white-silk wrapped tsuka with a cross-weave Z-pattern, down to the obsidian hued saya, smothered in ancient runes etched in the ancient tongue only he and its creator hold any knowledge of, complimented with a navy-blue sash the weapon truly inspires awe to its beholders. Once removed, those unfortunate to witness it, bear witness to a tranquil blue blade some six feet in length with a perfect gradual curve.
Weapon Background: Initially when Einst received this weapon he did not understand what it truly was. At that time, which was just over six thousand years ago in his timeline, Einst was considered a truly gifted, prodigious Swordsman in his own right; however, no amount of skill, power, or knowledge he had amassed could have ever prepared him to handle the Tenrai. Taking the blade in hand, he felt His presence infiltrate his very being, without even removing it from its sheath. Naturally, this terrified Einst, nightmares only the strongest of wills could see their way out of plaguing his mind every night. Einst went on for ten straight years before he could work up enough resolve to wield the frightening blade in battle. It was on that day that Einst began his path toward becoming the one true disciple of that freakishly powerful being known only as Killiak.
Weapon Composition: Pure Zeranium, Zeranz Essence (See section Other Pertinent Information)
Weapon Name: Ochitsuita
Weapon Type: Katana
Weapon Position: Left hip, concealed under coat
Weapon Description: The Ochitsuita, or Ochi for short, is one of the simplest looking weapons ever owned by Einst. A light walnut in color, at first glance it appears to be a single length of wood bearing a slight curve like the Tenrai Hibiki. A closer look and one can see the fine workmanship that went into it. When drawn, the blade concealed within the wood is revealed to have a mirrored finish. One look at the blade and the extreme attention to detail by its forger is clear, with complex characters worked into the blade. Said characters are only highlighted by the mirrored finish and run the entire length of the blade, which measures some forty-two inches.
Weapon Background: When Einst was found waiting for the Crew on Tizon, he was seen wearing this sword. It is safe to assume that he came to own the weapon during his yet unexplained disappearance from the Vestusio campaign against the 44th Dimensional Fleet. Eventually, he may or may not tell the Crew that he received the weapon as a gift from his host, master, and friend Garteo on Killiak’s home-world of Zerania.
Weapon Composition: Unknown (See section Other Pertinent Information)
Armor
Lyon's Crest Mk.II- The first model of this bracer destroyed in combat, this new version has received heavy modifications to make up for the short-comings of the first. A dull gunmetal matte finish, this bracer covers from just beneath Einst's knuckles, wraps snugly about his middle finger spreading over his palm with a solitary jade stone at the center (the malleable material an earthy brown tone), and extends to just beneath the base of his elbow. The joint of the wrist and hand is inter-woven segmented Meta-Titanium, sections measuring less than one thirty-seconds of an inch with an over-under and across pattern. This provides for maximum maneuverability with virtually zero structural weakness liken to traditional joints in armor. Clearly, for this one feature alone, a master smith was involved. The main section covering the forearm is composed of a Meta-Titanium, further enhanced with the peculiar jade stones embedded in a perfect diamond outline of the male Lion's head carved out of the center, its open maw holding a solitary, unidentified white jewel. This bracer completely wraps around Einst's forearm and actively stabilizes kinetic energy upon contact, thanks mostly in part to the jade stones. Should an attack be strong enough to get past this first line of defense, the time-proven durability of the Meta-Titanium material is more than enough to fend off the most vicious of physical strikes, blasts, and powerful ether attacks. The malleable material the armor is attached to is a hollow shell taken from scales of a dreadful Shadow-Mantoise, which naturally reduces vibration to a mere tickle leaving Einst chuckling after fending off an attack. The Lyon's Crest Mk.II weighs several hundred pounds, mere child's play for the White Swordsman.
Accessories
Swordman's Insigne-A jade-hued, metallic necklace. It is of miniature rectangular, metallic blocks no thicker than a few sheets of paper stacked together. At the center of each of these rectangles is a smaller rectangle, hued in silver; this simple necklace protects Einst from all status ailments, and is made of a material thought to be related to the Tenrai.
Background Information
Biography- A traveling swordsman, drifting through time and space though not so much time, more the space part. He's just old as dirt, or older. Born on a world he can no longer find his way back to, Ludwig von Einst has long since drifted onto the Yggdrasil. For the last few years, something about three or four, Einst has stayed with the Yggdrasil Space Pirates, opting to help them in their quest to confront the tyrant organization U-TIC for an easy price- General Killiak's head for his own. Driven by fury, controlled through discipline and determined by nobody knows what Einst is a devout warrior and wickedly powerful High Mage. His loyalty to the Captain is second to none, as the two share an eerily similar history. His time within the crew has proven extraordinarily fruitful for Einst, even if it has cost him minor slices of his humanity.
History- Einst is several thousands of years old. Give or take a few years, he's stopped thinking about when he started what he does. Far too elaborate to cover, the basics are as follows:
Born on XenoGaia, Einst lived a humble life. As soon as he was old enough to stand, he picked up the sword and has yet to lay it to rest. A strangely gifted boy, Einst excelled in his father's training. By the age of five, he could spar with the best of his village, blow for blow until his tiny body could offer no more. Within a year he discovered his abilities with magic, and before he was six and a half years old everything he knew was torn apart. Literally, Einst watched his father cut into equal halves by a cloaked madman?
The following ten years of his life are to this day an absent memory to Einst. He lived day to day with a pain in his chest, nearly choking in sorrow and his own tears but he did not know why. Eventually he met his wife, had a child (two to be exact), and settled down in Neo-Midgar. Then Shin-RA came knocking his door in?
A tenacious man, known as Killiak, was alone and unarmed. Hell, the monster didn't need weapons, he looked as if he could rip the entire city apart with those wicked black hands. For seemingly no reason at all, the Turk slaughtered the Einst family, save for Ludwig himself. Even with all his power, he was an utter embarrassment compared to the Turk.
These days, Einst carries on through the stars in search of Killiak, vowed hatred in his eyes and heart. The exact details of his past are shrouded in darkness, though the man has learned of the truth to his childhood and subsequent young adulthood. He refuses to speak of the terrible evils of his past, choosing rather to endure his nightmares in solitude. In more recent times, he had staved off from his search for Killiak, aiding the Yggdrasil Crew in their exploits, learning what life is again. The group traveled far and wide, back through time and returning to the present year, acquiring new allies and enemies alike. Then one day, Einst intercepted a message containing a few obscure details regarding a mission in a nearby sector in space. Something within that message lured Einst to accept it, leading him on a wild goose chase across various planets hunting down scripts. Regardless of the man's plethora of experience and wealth of knowledge, it was written in a tongue he could not comprehend.
Three months into his mission, a month since he had checked in with the Yggdrasil, the mission turned awry. An ambush lay in wait for the man digging up a certain Religious Sect's dirty secrets, and Einst was trapped. The beings he fought were strangely powerful, harboring a type of magic the likes of which he had only crossed a handful of times. They prevented Einst from releasing the seals of his Forbidden Magic, bound him in an unbreakable ethereal chain and cast him into the Void itself.
There, time passed in a non-linear, chaotic web. Every battle brought him near death, the dark memory of his family haunted him day in and day out. Where one victory gifted him Hope, another granted him only despair. After an unknown period, just as Einst was beginning to lose his determination, a new light flooded the dark corridors of his diminishing mind. Faced with his impending end, Einst mustered all the strength he had been holding back to finally release his every inhibition.
The power of the ancient blade Valkyrie coursed its way through his veins once more, and at long last Einst began to drive back the creatures of the void. Ultimately, after what felt like an eternity, he managed to create a rift wide enough for him to escape. The exact details of his perilous journey are largely unknown, but the overall effects were immediately obvious to his comrades. Einst emerged forever changed, carrying with him a darkness that could drink the light of the brightest stars… [TBC]
Other Pertinent Information
Einst, with his far-reaching travels, has had no choice but to become at least averagely proficient with various albeit limited types of technology. Basically, what he claims to know, he knows damn well, such as piloting mecha units, grav-lifts, Gates, basic computer functions and limited networking knowledge. He's even used a firearm or two in his day, not wielded by a giant robotic war-machine.
Furthermore, while it isn't exactly his forte, Einst is a more than adept hand-to-hand combatant. Taken mostly from his training with Killiak and Ishida, Einst knows his way around an unarmed fight, yet doesn't appear to use any identifiable Martial art.
-A summary of Einst's ethereal abilities: Previously, Einst was still governed by the Sacred Ritual of Order which inhibited his abilities with Magic. Out of an insurmountable desire to live, Einst unlocked within himself a veritable enlightenment. In short, Einst attained a level of control that was not possible beforehand, and as such broke free of the shackles emplaced upon him practically since birth. With total freedom of control, what once required a long, timely incantation and tremendous focus in order to obtain, now exists at all times within the warrior. This has unlocked Einst's potential as a warrior to unprecedented heights. Already, he has displayed a tenacious ability to combine the likes of magic and ether together for gruesomely powerful attacks...
-A note on Einst's equipment combinations: The Tenrai Hibiki is incapable of being used in conjunction with his gauntlets. While using his sword, his hand must be bare and not covered by any substance in order to properly control the sword which is a constant necessity. That is not to say that he cannot use one Gauntlet and wield the sword with his free hand, this is perfectly doable.
Mecha Unit Information
Cybuster, Elemental Lord of the Wind - The Cybuster is one of four Elemental Lords, developed by an ancient Kingdom long ago. Due to its blessing by the God of the Wind, Cyfis, it was dubbed "The Elemental Lord of the Wind". It is one of the seventeen Elemental Machines designed to fight the revival of a powerful God of Destruction known as Jashin Volkruss and its minions. This is one of the fastest Elemental Lord units created, and the only one with the ability to transform. Its transformed state, called the Cybird, is capable of attaining even greater speed than the standard mode, making it one of the fastest Mobile Units in existence.
The machine is powered by a Fulcanelli-type Eternal Engine, which operates off the life force of the pilot. Therefore, the stronger the pilot, the more powerful Cybuster becomes. Its armor is made of Orichalconium, an extremely durable alloy with mystical properties. It is constructed in such a way that the arrangement of its particles and geometrical structure provide powerful magical (Ether) protection to the unit. The Cybuster is mechanically similar to the other Elemental Lords, except for the fact that its systems are governed by the Laplace Demon Computer, which has the ability to predict the future. ***DESTROYED***
Technical Information
Model Number: N/A
Model Name: Cybuster
Model Type: Elemental Lord
Manufacturer:
Current Pilot: Ludwig von Einst
Pilot History: ---
Accommodation: Pilot only. Standard cockpit in torso.
Head Height: 28.48 meters
Dry Weight: 38.4 metric tons
Construction: Orichcalconium
Powerplant: Fulcanelli-type Eternal Engine
Propulsion: Ether Wing Super Verniers (x6)
Equipment and Design Features: Sensors, high-detail range. Ether Amplification Engine. Laplace Demon Computer.
Fixed Armaments: ---
Optional Fixed Armaments: ---
Optional Hand Armaments: Zephyr Sword
Additional Parts 1:
Additional Parts 2:
Additional Parts 3: