Post by Lance on Sept 17, 2020 19:49:27 GMT -5
Personal information and social status
Name: Florentine Ren
Race: Human
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Appearance: link
Personality: Florentine's personality is often described as "unstable" by those who have dealt with him, a trait born from the myriad of pains and losses he has endured in life. His business tactics can be summed up as "service with a smile", often centered on making new trends by making friends in high places, using that influence to shift what is considered fashionable and providing just that for people of all walks in life. He is also capable of being cruel, when faced with a rival or opponent, he extends his hand in friendship first, willing to settle things amicably. If it is refused or slapped away...he displays the ruthlessness that brought him back FROM that poverty he'd suffered.
When among friends and not conducting business he showcases a more laid back side, often throwing dinners and enjoying a good drink with his associates. He is also in possession of a dry and dark sense of humor, more often than not taking potshots at himself to get a laugh out of people. This also extends to his tendency to flirt, always having a honeyed word to share with a pretty woman.
To those closest to him, and those who have been at his side during his time "away" however, the smiling, flirting snark machine is seen for what it is, a mask. In reality, Florentine is far more analytical and ruthless when the need calls for it, and when is temper is ignited he becomes downright sadistic to the point of almost being unhinged. He is secretive and almost paranoid, having trained himself to be an expert in eavesdropping and reading people so that he cannot ever be surprised.
His self deprecation also takes on a darker light once one learns that Florentine does not think highly of himself at all, almost to the point of self loathing. At his core, Florentine Ren is a man who feels that he needs to atone for his failures, and his bodyguards are more to keep him grounded and safe from himself just as much as they are meant to protect him from others.
The one bright spot in his rather dark mind is his love for his daughter, Rose, whom he is incredibly protective of. He wishes to be an actual father to her now that she is free from Diana's grip, and perhaps to help her unlearn some of the more unethical things Diana had tried to impress on their daughter. It is this desire to reconnect with family that grounds him, and it might be the thing that smooths out his more cold and calculating side as well.
Home Realm: Native
Affiliation: Fire Kingdom, Sakai Family (His patron Yakuza Family, who oversees his and the other clans that make it up.)
Alignment: CN bordering on CG
History: Florentine was born to a wealthy banking family in the Fire Kingdom on Terra Mystica decades ago, to the family Ren. His upbringing was similar to many nobles at the time (and how some are still raised.), taught to be cunning, observant, and that empathy was a thing that made one vulnerable, even weak. His sheltered upbringing made Florentine rather callous, unthinking of those beneath him while also garnering a reputation as more than a bit of a womanizer.
This all changed when Florentine met Diana Deflores however. Diana was everything Florentine admired in a woman, strong willed, cunning and beautiful, and he quickly found himself smitten with her. Their romance was rapid and passionate, and Florentine, in his youthful enthusiasm, quickly wed Diana.
For the first couple of years, the pair of them got on amazingly, Florentine's banking empire was growing, and they were even expecting a child...unfortunately, it was all doomed to come crumbling down. Florentine's banking partners, tempted with greater opportunities by Diana, turned on Florentine. The Ren family banking clan quickly collapsed, sabotaged by scandal after scandal, until Florentine was left with nothing. It was during this time that Florentine turned to drink to cope, and Diana used that and his loss of influence and wealth as an excuse to divorce him in what rapidly became a public spectacle.
By the time the dust settled, Florentine was humiliated and stripped of his title, deposed from the Royal Court and left as one of the paupers he used to turn his nose up at. This was the darkest time in Florentine's life, and he would later recall that he'd even been tempted to just give up, until he was visited by a masked man named Philemon.
Philemon offered Florentine a way out from his suffering, a chance to rebuild his life in the human world away from the nobility that had destroyed his life. Florentine agreed immediately, and found himself whisked away to the human realm, specifically the country of Japan. What Florentine didn't know, was that he had been whisked through time, not just space. He was 14 years in the past, during a boom period in Japan's economy.
Florentine managed to secure a job as a book keeper at a nightclub, leveraging his skill with money and banking to build a meager but stable living. His fortunes would turn when he met a man one nigh, Yamato Tsuburaya, the head of the local Yakuza clan that bore his name. Yamato was impressed with Florentine's skill with handling money, and wanted to poach him from the club to assist his own business ventures.
Florentine in a show of trademark recklessness that bordered on foolhardy, refused at first, telling the older gangster that he knew what he'd be getting into and wasn't going to just waltz into a career that could get him killed. He instead, told Yamato that he would only enter business with him, if he were to join his clan, wanting a chance to become respected and have some semblance of power again, even if it was a small amount. Yamato was amused by Florentine's daring, and agreed, by the end of the week, Florentine had joined the Tsuburaya clan.
For the next decade, Florentine went from a mere money manager to a captain, showcasing a business savvy and skill in applying ruthlessness with pinpoint precision to get things done. He'd also shown a propensity for treating his subordinates with an hitherto unseen level of kindness, even the lowliest prostitute in the portions of the organization that he ran were kept safe, clean and well rewarded for being loyal.
He was happy for the first time in years, finding himself comfortable as a "Middle Manager" as opposed to the big man on top. But fate (or perhaps luck.) would intervene again, when a bombing by a rival family killed all of his clan's upper leadership, save for him. He had been spared by a business meeting regarding an important piece of real estate, and thus had been absent when the blast killed his leader and fellow captains.
Being the only senior leader in the clan, and with few experienced men to pick up the slack, Florentine took up the role of Clan head, Renaming Clan Tsuburaya to Clan Ren.
Clan Ren took a while to recover from the loss of it's experienced leaders, but eventually it began to grow once more, it was during this period of increasing strength that Florentine met another woman who captured his heart. At first he was hesitant, remembering what had happened when he allowed himself to be smitten with Diana, even years later. But eventually, the two became close, and after being almost inseparable for years, Florentine took his second wife. Florentine's life only became better when, in 1995 (Ironically the same year he'd married Diana in Terra Mystica) His son, Shigeru, was born.
For the next 11 years, Florentine raised his son, teaching him all that he knew of the world he had adopted as well as the one he came from. But, for all the joy that raising his second child brought, it also awoke a feeling he hadn't really dwelled on for a long, long time. Florentine felt regret, regret for leaving his firstborn, his daughter, in the hands of Diana. He feared for what his child would become, and even had nightmares of her becoming twisted and heartless at the hands of the system that had made him what he was before he fled so many years ago.
So, in 2006, Florentine had made up his mind. He told his wife and child of the other family he once had, and his desire to save her from being perverted by the callousness of nobility, and then he said what he felt he needed to do. He was to leave all he'd built behind, to return to the realm that had ruined him. He swore to return, to bring them both to his old home where they could build an empire of their own creation, where the gang wars and bloodshed would not follow.
Shigeru promised to take control of Clan Ren when be was of age, swearing to bring them all back with his mother so they could join Florentine when the time was right. With a great shedding of tears and much conflict in his heart, Florentine left, returning to his homeland to reclaim the last of his old ties to the world...and hopefully to build a better home for his daughter.
Florentine's return was unexpected, as was his swift success in rebuilding his wealth and influence. He partnered with farmers, textile makers and even the royal family, building friendships and alliances as he went. The next 8 years were a tumultuous period to be sure, close allies were lost due to treachery, treachery that was answered with the cold, almost sadistic ruthlessness that Florentine had tempered in his time as a Yakuza Clan head. And with every foe slain or conquered, his influence grew, and his reputation did as well.
The once mocked drunk and womanizer was now a suave gentleman with impeccable taste and a self deprecating sense of humor that endeared him to the common man, while his cut throat efficiency and keen skills of observation made even his competitors begrudgingly respect him. For all intents and purposes, Florentine Ren has risen anew from a fall from grace that he himself described as "Something an old man named Isaiah put in some big book of fairy tales a long time ago." Now if only he can stay alive long enough to keep it going...lord knows his bodyguards are gonna have their hands full keeping THAT from happening.
Combat potential
Weapons: N/A (All of Florentine's weapons are made with his spells.)
Armor: Silk Suit: Florentine's favorite two piece suit, made from finely spun Arachne silk and dyed in a...unique pink-purple shade that is distinctly "Florentine" in it's style. The Suit itself is not armored, but the incredible strength of Arachne silk makes it quite good against small weapons and arrows due to the way the thread reacts to impacts. It also breaths like Egyptian cotton and is stain resistant, all for the low low cost of 50 Platinum per suit!
Enchanted weapons/accessories: Golden Pen: A pen made by a dearly departed confidante of Florentine's to celebrate his first business acquisition upon his return in Terra Mystica. The Pen is dwarven made and Elvin engraved, enchanted for durability and to avoid Ink Droplets from splattering onto any documents he signs with it. He keeps the pen in his pocket at all times and tends to fuss with it when he's anxious or deep in thought. The quill tip is also incredibly sharp, making for a good improvised weapon, something that Florentine has done once...or maybe twice.
Weaknesses: Unstable Temper: Florentine's temperament on a good day can be described as "flighty", and when his temper truly boils over he can become incredibly hard to predict...or control. He becomes obsessed with retribution if someone wrongs him in a particularly strong way, and this can be manipulated to make him reckless enough to lure into a trap or escalate an already poor situation.
Morality Chains: Florentine relies heavily on those whom he is close to for guidance and a sort of anchor for his more negative traits, especially his vindictive or self loathing side. When people he loves are hurt in any way, it hits him deeply and shakes him both emotionally and mentally. This can be exacerbated to make Florentine angry, and by extension, even more off kilter.
Magical potential
Special/Racial Abilities: Insightful: Florentine is incredibly good at reading people, to the point where those not used to him find it unsettling that he's capable of picking their brains so easily for information. This serves him well in business negotiations...and in his favorite past time, being a cheeky ass and teasing people.
Expert Eavesdropper: Florentine's also quite skilled at listening in on conversations without needing to be involved in them, a skill honed by years of criminal and Noble business. It is one of the hallmarks of his success, and he is incredibly proud of his skill in doing it.
Magical Affinity: Earth
Spells Known (23/35sP):
Scour(1Sp): A basic scouring spell used to clean off items such as clothing or furniture, good for blood, mud, water and other contaminants. Can not expunge things from inside a person, and can be used at a distance of 5 feet once per turn.
Flora Whip(5sP): Florentine is capable of using his Earth magic to modify a plant into a dangerous weapon, the Flora whip turns the plant (Usually a flower) into a durable, flexible weapon that can tear deep wounds into an opponent's flesh. This spell turns any plant into the equivalent of a barbed whip that reaches a maximum of 5 feet long, the lash itself is about as durable as reinforced leather. This spell can be used once every 3 turns, and requires a plant or stick that fits into one of Florentine's hands.
Flora Raiper(5sP): Similarly to the Flora Whip, Florentine's magic can mold a plant into a wooden looking sword. The sword has a robust handle with a wide guard, and a thin, tapering blade made for thrusting as opposed to slashing. The magically altered material is about as durable as standard steel, and the blade is 41 inches long, about standard for a rapier. This spell can be used once every 3 turns and requires a plant or stick that fits in one of Florentine's hands.
Stone Bullets(5sP): A standard Earth Magic spell, Stone Bullets allow Florentine to turn stones or bricks that weigh up to 15 pounds into a dangerous projectile with a mere sweep of his hand. When used, this spell allows Florentine to send up to 5 stones flying in a direction he points, the stones fly at a speed of 50 miles per hour. This spell can only be used every 4 turns, and the stones have a range of about 300 feet.
Groundspike Graveyard(7sP): A spell made for crowd control, Groundspike Graveyard allows Florentine to use his magic to create a wave or circle of spikes that extend outwards, made from either stone or tree roots (Depending on the Environment). These spikes are about 5 feet tall, and are hard enough to punch through steel plat mail. The spikes have a range of about 35 feet when projected in a straight line, and in a circle extend outwards up to 10 feet away from him. This spell requires a turn to gather enough mana to cast it, and can only be used once every 6 turns.
Name: Florentine Ren
Race: Human
Age: 54
Gender: Male
Appearance: link
Personality: Florentine's personality is often described as "unstable" by those who have dealt with him, a trait born from the myriad of pains and losses he has endured in life. His business tactics can be summed up as "service with a smile", often centered on making new trends by making friends in high places, using that influence to shift what is considered fashionable and providing just that for people of all walks in life. He is also capable of being cruel, when faced with a rival or opponent, he extends his hand in friendship first, willing to settle things amicably. If it is refused or slapped away...he displays the ruthlessness that brought him back FROM that poverty he'd suffered.
When among friends and not conducting business he showcases a more laid back side, often throwing dinners and enjoying a good drink with his associates. He is also in possession of a dry and dark sense of humor, more often than not taking potshots at himself to get a laugh out of people. This also extends to his tendency to flirt, always having a honeyed word to share with a pretty woman.
To those closest to him, and those who have been at his side during his time "away" however, the smiling, flirting snark machine is seen for what it is, a mask. In reality, Florentine is far more analytical and ruthless when the need calls for it, and when is temper is ignited he becomes downright sadistic to the point of almost being unhinged. He is secretive and almost paranoid, having trained himself to be an expert in eavesdropping and reading people so that he cannot ever be surprised.
His self deprecation also takes on a darker light once one learns that Florentine does not think highly of himself at all, almost to the point of self loathing. At his core, Florentine Ren is a man who feels that he needs to atone for his failures, and his bodyguards are more to keep him grounded and safe from himself just as much as they are meant to protect him from others.
The one bright spot in his rather dark mind is his love for his daughter, Rose, whom he is incredibly protective of. He wishes to be an actual father to her now that she is free from Diana's grip, and perhaps to help her unlearn some of the more unethical things Diana had tried to impress on their daughter. It is this desire to reconnect with family that grounds him, and it might be the thing that smooths out his more cold and calculating side as well.
Home Realm: Native
Affiliation: Fire Kingdom, Sakai Family (His patron Yakuza Family, who oversees his and the other clans that make it up.)
Alignment: CN bordering on CG
History: Florentine was born to a wealthy banking family in the Fire Kingdom on Terra Mystica decades ago, to the family Ren. His upbringing was similar to many nobles at the time (and how some are still raised.), taught to be cunning, observant, and that empathy was a thing that made one vulnerable, even weak. His sheltered upbringing made Florentine rather callous, unthinking of those beneath him while also garnering a reputation as more than a bit of a womanizer.
This all changed when Florentine met Diana Deflores however. Diana was everything Florentine admired in a woman, strong willed, cunning and beautiful, and he quickly found himself smitten with her. Their romance was rapid and passionate, and Florentine, in his youthful enthusiasm, quickly wed Diana.
For the first couple of years, the pair of them got on amazingly, Florentine's banking empire was growing, and they were even expecting a child...unfortunately, it was all doomed to come crumbling down. Florentine's banking partners, tempted with greater opportunities by Diana, turned on Florentine. The Ren family banking clan quickly collapsed, sabotaged by scandal after scandal, until Florentine was left with nothing. It was during this time that Florentine turned to drink to cope, and Diana used that and his loss of influence and wealth as an excuse to divorce him in what rapidly became a public spectacle.
By the time the dust settled, Florentine was humiliated and stripped of his title, deposed from the Royal Court and left as one of the paupers he used to turn his nose up at. This was the darkest time in Florentine's life, and he would later recall that he'd even been tempted to just give up, until he was visited by a masked man named Philemon.
Philemon offered Florentine a way out from his suffering, a chance to rebuild his life in the human world away from the nobility that had destroyed his life. Florentine agreed immediately, and found himself whisked away to the human realm, specifically the country of Japan. What Florentine didn't know, was that he had been whisked through time, not just space. He was 14 years in the past, during a boom period in Japan's economy.
Florentine managed to secure a job as a book keeper at a nightclub, leveraging his skill with money and banking to build a meager but stable living. His fortunes would turn when he met a man one nigh, Yamato Tsuburaya, the head of the local Yakuza clan that bore his name. Yamato was impressed with Florentine's skill with handling money, and wanted to poach him from the club to assist his own business ventures.
Florentine in a show of trademark recklessness that bordered on foolhardy, refused at first, telling the older gangster that he knew what he'd be getting into and wasn't going to just waltz into a career that could get him killed. He instead, told Yamato that he would only enter business with him, if he were to join his clan, wanting a chance to become respected and have some semblance of power again, even if it was a small amount. Yamato was amused by Florentine's daring, and agreed, by the end of the week, Florentine had joined the Tsuburaya clan.
For the next decade, Florentine went from a mere money manager to a captain, showcasing a business savvy and skill in applying ruthlessness with pinpoint precision to get things done. He'd also shown a propensity for treating his subordinates with an hitherto unseen level of kindness, even the lowliest prostitute in the portions of the organization that he ran were kept safe, clean and well rewarded for being loyal.
He was happy for the first time in years, finding himself comfortable as a "Middle Manager" as opposed to the big man on top. But fate (or perhaps luck.) would intervene again, when a bombing by a rival family killed all of his clan's upper leadership, save for him. He had been spared by a business meeting regarding an important piece of real estate, and thus had been absent when the blast killed his leader and fellow captains.
Being the only senior leader in the clan, and with few experienced men to pick up the slack, Florentine took up the role of Clan head, Renaming Clan Tsuburaya to Clan Ren.
Clan Ren took a while to recover from the loss of it's experienced leaders, but eventually it began to grow once more, it was during this period of increasing strength that Florentine met another woman who captured his heart. At first he was hesitant, remembering what had happened when he allowed himself to be smitten with Diana, even years later. But eventually, the two became close, and after being almost inseparable for years, Florentine took his second wife. Florentine's life only became better when, in 1995 (Ironically the same year he'd married Diana in Terra Mystica) His son, Shigeru, was born.
For the next 11 years, Florentine raised his son, teaching him all that he knew of the world he had adopted as well as the one he came from. But, for all the joy that raising his second child brought, it also awoke a feeling he hadn't really dwelled on for a long, long time. Florentine felt regret, regret for leaving his firstborn, his daughter, in the hands of Diana. He feared for what his child would become, and even had nightmares of her becoming twisted and heartless at the hands of the system that had made him what he was before he fled so many years ago.
So, in 2006, Florentine had made up his mind. He told his wife and child of the other family he once had, and his desire to save her from being perverted by the callousness of nobility, and then he said what he felt he needed to do. He was to leave all he'd built behind, to return to the realm that had ruined him. He swore to return, to bring them both to his old home where they could build an empire of their own creation, where the gang wars and bloodshed would not follow.
Shigeru promised to take control of Clan Ren when be was of age, swearing to bring them all back with his mother so they could join Florentine when the time was right. With a great shedding of tears and much conflict in his heart, Florentine left, returning to his homeland to reclaim the last of his old ties to the world...and hopefully to build a better home for his daughter.
Florentine's return was unexpected, as was his swift success in rebuilding his wealth and influence. He partnered with farmers, textile makers and even the royal family, building friendships and alliances as he went. The next 8 years were a tumultuous period to be sure, close allies were lost due to treachery, treachery that was answered with the cold, almost sadistic ruthlessness that Florentine had tempered in his time as a Yakuza Clan head. And with every foe slain or conquered, his influence grew, and his reputation did as well.
The once mocked drunk and womanizer was now a suave gentleman with impeccable taste and a self deprecating sense of humor that endeared him to the common man, while his cut throat efficiency and keen skills of observation made even his competitors begrudgingly respect him. For all intents and purposes, Florentine Ren has risen anew from a fall from grace that he himself described as "Something an old man named Isaiah put in some big book of fairy tales a long time ago." Now if only he can stay alive long enough to keep it going...lord knows his bodyguards are gonna have their hands full keeping THAT from happening.
Combat potential
Weapons: N/A (All of Florentine's weapons are made with his spells.)
Armor: Silk Suit: Florentine's favorite two piece suit, made from finely spun Arachne silk and dyed in a...unique pink-purple shade that is distinctly "Florentine" in it's style. The Suit itself is not armored, but the incredible strength of Arachne silk makes it quite good against small weapons and arrows due to the way the thread reacts to impacts. It also breaths like Egyptian cotton and is stain resistant, all for the low low cost of 50 Platinum per suit!
Enchanted weapons/accessories: Golden Pen: A pen made by a dearly departed confidante of Florentine's to celebrate his first business acquisition upon his return in Terra Mystica. The Pen is dwarven made and Elvin engraved, enchanted for durability and to avoid Ink Droplets from splattering onto any documents he signs with it. He keeps the pen in his pocket at all times and tends to fuss with it when he's anxious or deep in thought. The quill tip is also incredibly sharp, making for a good improvised weapon, something that Florentine has done once...or maybe twice.
Weaknesses: Unstable Temper: Florentine's temperament on a good day can be described as "flighty", and when his temper truly boils over he can become incredibly hard to predict...or control. He becomes obsessed with retribution if someone wrongs him in a particularly strong way, and this can be manipulated to make him reckless enough to lure into a trap or escalate an already poor situation.
Morality Chains: Florentine relies heavily on those whom he is close to for guidance and a sort of anchor for his more negative traits, especially his vindictive or self loathing side. When people he loves are hurt in any way, it hits him deeply and shakes him both emotionally and mentally. This can be exacerbated to make Florentine angry, and by extension, even more off kilter.
Magical potential
Special/Racial Abilities: Insightful: Florentine is incredibly good at reading people, to the point where those not used to him find it unsettling that he's capable of picking their brains so easily for information. This serves him well in business negotiations...and in his favorite past time, being a cheeky ass and teasing people.
Expert Eavesdropper: Florentine's also quite skilled at listening in on conversations without needing to be involved in them, a skill honed by years of criminal and Noble business. It is one of the hallmarks of his success, and he is incredibly proud of his skill in doing it.
Magical Affinity: Earth
Spells Known (23/35sP):
Scour(1Sp): A basic scouring spell used to clean off items such as clothing or furniture, good for blood, mud, water and other contaminants. Can not expunge things from inside a person, and can be used at a distance of 5 feet once per turn.
Flora Whip(5sP): Florentine is capable of using his Earth magic to modify a plant into a dangerous weapon, the Flora whip turns the plant (Usually a flower) into a durable, flexible weapon that can tear deep wounds into an opponent's flesh. This spell turns any plant into the equivalent of a barbed whip that reaches a maximum of 5 feet long, the lash itself is about as durable as reinforced leather. This spell can be used once every 3 turns, and requires a plant or stick that fits into one of Florentine's hands.
Flora Raiper(5sP): Similarly to the Flora Whip, Florentine's magic can mold a plant into a wooden looking sword. The sword has a robust handle with a wide guard, and a thin, tapering blade made for thrusting as opposed to slashing. The magically altered material is about as durable as standard steel, and the blade is 41 inches long, about standard for a rapier. This spell can be used once every 3 turns and requires a plant or stick that fits in one of Florentine's hands.
Stone Bullets(5sP): A standard Earth Magic spell, Stone Bullets allow Florentine to turn stones or bricks that weigh up to 15 pounds into a dangerous projectile with a mere sweep of his hand. When used, this spell allows Florentine to send up to 5 stones flying in a direction he points, the stones fly at a speed of 50 miles per hour. This spell can only be used every 4 turns, and the stones have a range of about 300 feet.
Groundspike Graveyard(7sP): A spell made for crowd control, Groundspike Graveyard allows Florentine to use his magic to create a wave or circle of spikes that extend outwards, made from either stone or tree roots (Depending on the Environment). These spikes are about 5 feet tall, and are hard enough to punch through steel plat mail. The spikes have a range of about 35 feet when projected in a straight line, and in a circle extend outwards up to 10 feet away from him. This spell requires a turn to gather enough mana to cast it, and can only be used once every 6 turns.
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