# #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Vassik Redblade (Captain of The Blades of Exile) - **Race/Species:** Human - **Class/Profession:** Fighter/Duelist (Aldori Swordlord) - **Alignment/Morality:** Lawful Neutral - **Age:** Mid-40s - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (He/Him) - **Appearance:** Tall and lean with the disciplined physique of a master duelist. His once-handsome face is now weathered by years of exile and combat, with a prominent scar running from his right temple to his jaw—a reminder of the night he was forced to flee Rostland. His dark hair, streaked with silver at the temples, is kept short and practical. His most striking features are his intense gray eyes that seem to evaluate everything as a potential threat or opportunity. He typically wears practical but well-crafted clothing in dark colors, with subtle crimson accents—a nod to his namesake. His distinctive red-hilted dueling sword is always at his side, and he moves with the balanced grace of someone who has spent a lifetime mastering the art of swordplay. #### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Vassik is a study in disciplined intensity—a man who has channeled the bitterness of exile into focused ambition. He maintains the formal manners and precise speech of Rostland nobility, even years after his banishment. To his followers, he is fair but demanding, expecting the same level of dedication from others that he demonstrates himself. To outsiders, he presents a professional and reserved demeanor, revealing little of his true thoughts or feelings. Those who earn his trust discover a man of surprising depth—capable of loyalty, strategic thinking, and even occasional dry humor. However, the wound of his exile remains unhealed, and mentions of House Surtova or the current political situation in Brevoy can crack his composed exterior, revealing glimpses of the smoldering resentment beneath. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Master Duelist** – One of the finest swordsmen in the River Kingdoms, trained in the Aldori tradition - **Tactical Acumen** – Exceptional ability to assess battlefield situations and adapt strategies accordingly - **Leadership** – Inspires loyalty through competence, fairness, and leading by example - **Political Insight** – Deep understanding of Brevoy's complex political landscape - **Diplomatic Pragmatism** – Able to set aside personal feelings to secure advantageous alliances - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Pride** – Sometimes refuses advantageous opportunities if they would compromise his dignity - **Vendetta** – His obsession with eventual return to Brevoy can cloud his judgment - **Inflexible Standards** – Expects others to meet his exacting standards, leading to friction - **Trust Issues** – Years of betrayal have made him overly suspicious of new allies - **Emotional Suppression** – Bottles up emotions until they occasionally erupt in private moments of rage - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - Speaks with the precise, formal diction of Rostland nobility - Habitually tests the edge of his blade with his thumb when thinking - Stands with perfect posture, rarely slouching even in informal settings - Uses minimal but precise gestures when giving orders - Maintains intense eye contact during conversations, as if dueling with words #### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Born to a respected but minor noble family in Rostland, Vassik showed exceptional aptitude for swordplay from an early age. He trained under the Aldori Swordlords in Restov, quickly rising to prominence as one of their most promising students. His skill and family connections earned him a position in Rostland's military leadership and eventually a seat on the advisory council to the Lord Mayor of Restov. His downfall came during the period of increasing Surtova influence in Rostland affairs. Vassik vocally opposed what he saw as the gradual erosion of Rostland's independence, making powerful enemies in the process. The official reason for his exile was "treasonous conspiracy against the unity of Brevoy," though the true catalyst was his discovery of a plot by Surtova agents to assassinate several key Rostland leaders. On what would later be called "The Red Night," Vassik and his loyal supporters were forced to flee Restov with only what they could carry, barely escaping with their lives. They made their way south to the River Kingdoms, where Vassik transformed his band of exiles into The Blades of Exile—a mercenary company that would serve as both their livelihood and the foundation for his long-term plans to eventually return to Brevoy and restore Rostland's independence. - **Current Motivations:** - Building The Blades of Exile into a force capable of influencing Brevoy politics - Gathering intelligence on the current situation in Rostland - Establishing alliances with other powers opposed to Surtova dominance - Maintaining his company's reputation for excellence and reliability - Secretly supporting resistance movements within Brevoy - **Connections & Relationships:** - **The Blades of Exile** – The mercenary company he founded and leads - **Lyra Steelblade** – His second-in-command and most trusted advisor - **The Swordlords of Mivon** – Fellow exiles with whom he maintains cautious relations - **Felisia d'Rocca** – A merchant with whom he has a complex personal and professional relationship - **House Surtova** – The focus of his resentment and long-term opposition - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **The Blades of Exile** – His primary loyalty and life's work - **Rostland (in exile)** – He considers himself a true Rostlander despite his banishment - **The Aldori Tradition** – He maintains the fighting style and some of the values of his training - **Various clients** – He honors contracts with professional dedication - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **Crimson Whisper** – His masterwork Aldori dueling sword with a distinctive red hilt - **The Captain's Signet** – Ring that marks him as leader of The Blades of Exile - **Exile's Armor** – Light but effective armor that allows for the mobility required by his fighting style - **The Red Ledger** – Book containing details of those who supported his exile - **Rostland Medallion** – A keepsake from his homeland that he keeps hidden but cherished #### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The tension between honor and pragmatism - Exile as both punishment and opportunity - The cost of maintaining principles in a world of compromise - Building a new identity while holding onto the past - **Player/GM Notes:** - Can serve as a potential employer for mercenary work - Might become an ally for characters opposed to Surtova influence - Could provide training in dueling techniques for appropriate characters - His network of spies could be a source of valuable information - His vendetta against House Surtova might complicate political situations # #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Vassik Redblade (Captain of The Blades of Exile) - **Race/Species:** Human - **Class/Profession:** Fighter/Duelist (Aldori Swordlord) - **Alignment/Morality:** Lawful Neutral - **Age:** Mid-40s - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (He/Him) - **Appearance:** Tall and lean with the disciplined physique of a master duelist. His once-handsome face is now weathered by years of exile and combat, with a prominent scar running from his right temple to his jaw—a reminder of the night he was forced to flee Rostland. His dark hair, streaked with silver at the temples, is kept short and practical. His most striking features are his intense gray eyes that seem to evaluate everything as a potential threat or opportunity. He typically wears practical but well-crafted clothing in dark colors, with subtle crimson accents—a nod to his namesake. His distinctive red-hilted dueling sword is always at his side, and he moves with the balanced grace of someone who has spent a lifetime mastering the art of swordplay. #### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Vassik is a study in disciplined intensity—a man who has channeled the bitterness of exile into focused ambition. He maintains the formal manners and precise speech of Rostland nobility, even years after his banishment. To his followers, he is fair but demanding, expecting the same level of dedication from others that he demonstrates himself. To outsiders, he presents a professional and reserved demeanor, revealing little of his true thoughts or feelings. Those who earn his trust discover a man of surprising depth—capable of loyalty, strategic thinking, and even occasional dry humor. However, the wound of his exile remains unhealed, and mentions of House Surtova or the current political situation in Brevoy can crack his composed exterior, revealing glimpses of the smoldering resentment beneath. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Master Duelist** – One of the finest swordsmen in the River Kingdoms, trained in the Aldori tradition - **Tactical Acumen** – Exceptional ability to assess battlefield situations and adapt strategies accordingly - **Leadership** – Inspires loyalty through competence, fairness, and leading by example - **Political Insight** – Deep understanding of Brevoy's complex political landscape - **Diplomatic Pragmatism** – Able to set aside personal feelings to secure advantageous alliances - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Pride** – Sometimes refuses advantageous opportunities if they would compromise his dignity - **Vendetta** – His obsession with eventual return to Brevoy can cloud his judgment - **Inflexible Standards** – Expects others to meet his exacting standards, leading to friction - **Trust Issues** – Years of betrayal have made him overly suspicious of new allies - **Emotional Suppression** – Bottles up emotions until they occasionally erupt in private moments of rage - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - Speaks with the precise, formal diction of Rostland nobility - Habitually tests the edge of his blade with his thumb when thinking - Stands with perfect posture, rarely slouching even in informal settings - Uses minimal but precise gestures when giving orders - Maintains intense eye contact during conversations, as if dueling with words #### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Born to a respected but minor noble family in Rostland, Vassik showed exceptional aptitude for swordplay from an early age. He trained under the Aldori Swordlords in Restov, quickly rising to prominence as one of their most promising students. His skill and family connections earned him a position in Rostland's military leadership and eventually a seat on the advisory council to the Lord Mayor of Restov. His downfall came during the period of increasing Surtova influence in Rostland affairs. Vassik vocally opposed what he saw as the gradual erosion of Rostland's independence, making powerful enemies in the process. The official reason for his exile was "treasonous conspiracy against the unity of Brevoy," though the true catalyst was his discovery of a plot by Surtova agents to assassinate several key Rostland leaders. On what would later be called "The Red Night," Vassik and his loyal supporters were forced to flee Restov with only what they could carry, barely escaping with their lives. They made their way south to the River Kingdoms, where Vassik transformed his band of exiles into The Blades of Exile—a mercenary company that would serve as both their livelihood and the foundation for his long-term plans to eventually return to Brevoy and restore Rostland's independence. - **Current Motivations:** - Building The Blades of Exile into a force capable of influencing Brevoy politics - Gathering intelligence on the current situation in Rostland - Establishing alliances with other powers opposed to Surtova dominance - Maintaining his company's reputation for excellence and reliability - Secretly supporting resistance movements within Brevoy - **Connections & Relationships:** - **The Blades of Exile** – The mercenary company he founded and leads - **Lyra Steelblade** – His second-in-command and most trusted advisor - **The Swordlords of Mivon** – Fellow exiles with whom he maintains cautious relations - **Felisia d'Rocca** – A merchant with whom he has a complex personal and professional relationship - **House Surtova** – The focus of his resentment and long-term opposition - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **The Blades of Exile** – His primary loyalty and life's work - **Rostland (in exile)** – He considers himself a true Rostlander despite his banishment - **The Aldori Tradition** – He maintains the fighting style and some of the values of his training - **Various clients** – He honors contracts with professional dedication - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **Crimson Whisper** – His masterwork Aldori dueling sword with a distinctive red hilt - **The Captain's Signet** – Ring that marks him as leader of The Blades of Exile - **Exile's Armor** – Light but effective armor that allows for the mobility required by his fighting style - **The Red Ledger** – Book containing details of those who supported his exile - **Rostland Medallion** – A keepsake from his homeland that he keeps hidden but cherished #### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The tension between honor and pragmatism - Exile as both punishment and opportunity - The cost of maintaining principles in a world of compromise - Building a new identity while holding onto the past - **Player/GM Notes:** - Can serve as a potential employer for mercenary work - Might become an ally for characters opposed to Surtova influence - Could provide training in dueling techniques for appropriate characters - His network of spies could be a source of valuable information - His vendetta against House Surtova might complicate political situations