Post by The Master Tactician on Aug 27, 2013 22:47:20 GMT -5
Name: Jericho Swain
Alias: Grand General, The Master Tactician (The Orchestrator)
Race: Human (Extra-planar Demon)
Age: 43 (Eons old)
Occupation: Grand General of Noxus
Residence: Noxus, Darkbourne Hold
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Abilities:
Passive: Carrion Renewal
When The Master Tactician kills, his physical strength and magical potency are temporarily fortified by his victim's departing life-force.
Passive: Fiendish Familiar
Swain shares a soul-bond with his pet raven, Beatrice. The Raven has many eyes. He sees what she sees, hears what she hears and knows what she knows.
Passive: Demon in My View
As an outcast of a far-off plane and a connoisseur of life-force, The Orchestrator can sense the presence of others of its kind and discern natives of this realm from those offworld in origin.
Active: Decripify
Swain creates a searing tether between himself and another being, drawing upon both parties' life energies to cripple his target, slowing movement and inflicting significant pain. The tether can be maintained at a maximum range of 6 meters (~20 feet) and will break if the space between caster and target exceeds this distance. Because of Swain's soul link with Beatrice, this spell can be channeled through the raven if necessary.
Active: Nevermove
During his brief period of study at Witherwood Academy of Arcane Arts, Jericho mastered a single runic spell capable of transmogrifying any solid, non-sentient surface to his specifications. This alteration most frequently takes the form of nigh indestructible grasping talons. Nevermove's capacity is limited by Swain's surface-level understanding of the Rune of Resolve, Thurisaz, and therefore cannot alter a space of more than 3 square meters (~32 sqft). Altered matter returns to its original form after the runic magics holding it in place are withdrawn. The more frequently the Grand General makes use of this runic magic, the more warped his own body gradually becomes.
Active: Torment
Swain's magics manifest themselves in a large bolt of emerald and ebon flames, which he hurls at a target. Upon impact, the bolt delivers a temporary curse. Licking tongues of destructive flame-like energy surround the target inflicting immense pain, weakening magical resistances and corroding armor. The curse lasts up to five minutes, its duration dependent upon the fortitude of its bearer. The longer it lasts, the more damage it deals (to both body and armor.)
Transformation, Ultimate: The Orchestrator
Swain's human body twists and morphs to reveal The Orchestrator's true form; his skin seems to boil and slough off, his bones to crack and shift. The transformation is terrible to behold.
Eight feet tall with the physical strength of a stallion, the demon is a force to be reckoned with. It exudes an aura of fear, causing those of weaker constitutions to become terrified. By its very nature, the demon draws from the life forces of those around it, weakening them and using their energy to fortify its own strength. Few have born witness to this form off the Fields of Justice but those present at Kalamanda and Karthus, the Deathsinger.
Relationships:
Emilia (Evaine) LeBlanc/The Deceiver: The matron of the Black Rose, Jericho's lover and The Orchestrator's eternal partner, LeBlanc is the only person in whom Swain invests his trust--and the only one with deep insight into his being. He values her above all else and believes she is the only individual worthy to sit beside him upon the throne of this world. The depth of their relationship is almost entirely concealed from the public. On the great chessboard of the world, she is his queen.
Darius, The Hand of Noxus: The Grand General's second is a man upon whom he places significant value. Darius' loyalty and nationalistic fervor make him someone upon whom Swain can depend more than most. On the great chessboard of the world, he is a knight.
Draven, The Glorious Executioner: Though Swain can barely stand his second's kin on a personal level, his popularity makes him a useful tool for inspiring national pride and manipulating the public mindset. A bishop.
Katarina, The Sinister Blade: Though her loyalty to her country is strong, her suspicions about Swain and the Black Rose regarding her father's disappearance mean that she serves her purpose best at arms' length. Unfortunately for her, she wears her passions on her sleeve and is thus easily led along a trail of inconclusive evidence. A pawn.
Cassiopeia, The Serpent's Embrace: Like her sister, her family ties make her a liability and a threat--but she should never find that out. She is a pawn--but the Grand General eyes her warily, knowing that pawns can become queens if given a clear path to do so.
Renekton, The Butcher, The Culling Blade of Noxus: After Swain freed Renekton from his imprisonment at the Institute of War in secret and bound him with a blood pact to serve Noxus until The Master Tactician's dominion of Valoran had been secured, the mad demi-god acts as a valuable tool in the subjugation of those who would stand against the regime. A rook.
Brand, The Burning Vengeance: After his escape from the Institute of War, his assault upon Noxian borderlands and his subjugation by Noxian forces, The Orchestrator confronted the ancient spirit of cleansing fire with a proposition. Instead of reducing Runeterra to ash, they would rid it of the summoning magics that had torn the plane asunder and establish a New World Order, after which, Brand would be free to return to his home upon the plane of fire. Another rook.
Zed, The Master of Shadows: Swain and Zed entered into a deal after the Order of Shadows came under threat by the Ionian government. Zed would allow his province to be used as a gateway for Noxian forces to enter Ionia and together they would rid the land of "balance," establishing a world where the strong thrive, in which The Order of Shadows could operate freely and grow unhindered by the meddlesome Council of Elders and the opposed Kinkou. A knight.
Kassadin, The Voidwalker: Swain shares Kassadin’s hatred for the Void and is more than willing to ally himself with the Voidwalker in purging Runeterra of its influences. He is well aware of Kassadin’s hatred for Malzahar and his disillusionment with the Institute of War and will use both of these things to further his own goals. These goals, luckily, align with Kassadin’s own for the time being, for Runeterra cannot be ruled if it is consumed. In this case, the enemy of Swain’s enemy is his friend. A bishop.
Singed, The Mad Chemist: Swain funds many of Singed's projects, both personal and political. The Chemist has been offered select Zaunite territories as his own domain in which to experiment freely in the New World Order. He is currently in the process of developing chemical weapons for Noxus' future use. He has also overseen the development of a cure for the Grand General's debilitating ailments and is one of only two people who know the full extent of Swain's illness.
Urgot, The Headsman's Pride: Jericho served alongside (and over) Alexander Urgot for much of his military career. It was by his request that the Noxian government contracted Professor Stanwick Pididdly to perform the Rite of Reclamation. Urgot's loyalty to Noxus (and to Swain personally) make him a valuable asset despite his pride. He was chosen to captain The Great Wall and the band of criminal-soldiers stationed there.
Evelynn, The Widowmaker: Because of her ties with The Black Rose, her apparent fascination with Swain himself and her love of manipulation, she has proven a valuable source of information.
Elise, The Spider Queen: Jericho and Elise were both childhood members of the Black Rose. She acted as a self-appointed older sister to him until they had a falling out due to her jealousy over Evaine. Recently, the two were reunited. Because of Elise's disillusionment with the Shadow Isles and The Ruined King, she sought to re-join The Black Rose and find acceptance in Noxus once again. The Raven's eyes are upon her. If she manages to perform as an informant on the Isles, she will be rewarded. If not... the hedges must be pruned.
General Girard Laurentine III: A smooth-talking High Commander and cryomancer in charge of the militarization of Zaun. Swain is marginally pleased with his work and his diplomatic approach to leadership.
General Andre Bleakwood:[/s] A member remaining from Darkwill's High Command. Though his patriotism was strong, his inability to understand the delicateness of certain operations and his willingness to make his doubts known often exasperated the Grand General.
General Maria Blackwind: This High Commander was chosen to oversee Noxian operations in Ionia for her steadfastness, her loyalty and her strength.
General Decavian Theun: His eagerness to serve his country eclipses his arrogant demeanor. As long as he is away on assignment and not bragging in the War Room, the Grand General has no qualms with him.
General Zorn Agammond/Amarills Astieux: Agammond was replaced by a Black Rose illusionist because of his perceived treachery. Swain does not pay Astieux much heed, knowing she is fully under LeBlanc's command--and, by extension, his own.
General Neronis "The Gauntlet" Voxel: Swain is confident in this man's capacity, having served alongside him in the Barbarian Pacification Campaigns.
General-Doctor Valeria Von Mordenheim: The newest member of High Command is both a scholar and a gentlewoman. Swain has appointed her over Noxian education in attempt to unify the rival academies Witherwood and Bleak and bring about a Noxian renaissance in the wake of League research restrictions. Because she is a member of the Black Rose, he expects her to operate dependably under LeBlanc's orders.
General Serria Kromine: TBD
General Daren Baol: TBD
General Killgore "Skull-Taker" Vaughn: TBD
Riven, The Exile: A foolish girl, a coward and a deserter. Her venture into Noxus and poorly conceived attempt to incite hatred against him as he unified their nation against the backdrop of a world in turmoil exposed her as the child he believes she is. Rather than kill her, Swain will use his influences to twist her and break her, to turn her into a mockery of the ideals by which she swears.
Talon, The Blade's Shadow: An enemy of the state, plain and simple. He is a threat to the Grand General's master plan. If he is caught, he will be killed.
Prince Jarvan Lightshield IV, The Exemplar of Demacia: A spoiled brat, Jarvan is the physical manifestation of everything Swain believes is wrong with the world and a major representative of the oppressive class and system that wronged him. When the pieces fall into place, The Master Tactician will be satisfied to finally drain the prince's life-force from his helpless form. Every. Last. Drop.
Nocturne, The Eternal Nightmare: After being haunted by Nocturne as part of Its deal with Talon, The Master Tactician regards this specter with a mixture of contempt and terror. He has since been protected against its assaults, but the scars it left in his mind will never leave him.
The Ruined King: Swain regards the fallen king with extreme caution. Should the Grand General's affiliation with The Black Rose, the very organization that brought about the king's downfall, become known to him, he would likely stop at nothing to destroy Noxus.
Description:
(Pre-Ascension)
Hunched and shrunken, just over 5'6", The Master Tactician appears as a sickly, brittle man, aged prematurely by stress, illness and constant toil. The tremor of his body is violent, his frame is slight enough that the contours of his bones can be seen through his skin--but his voice carries an imperious tone and his eyes glow red with palpable intensity. Despite his unimpressive stature and limping gait, an aura of subjugating power surrounds the Grand General, inspiring caution and submission wherever he goes.
(The Orchestrator)
Looming at eight feet tall and weighing half a ton, The Master Tactician's demon form dwarfs most humanoids. It is coated in ebony feathers with six luminous crimson eyes and muscular arms ending in razor-sharp talons.
Biography:
The earliest account of Swain's existence comes from a Noxian infirmary doctor's notes. According to them, Swain limped into the ward without cry or complaint: his right leg was snapped in half, with bone protruding from the skin. A small, scowling bird seemed affixed to his shoulder. The doctor gawked in horror as the young adolescent answered questions about his health and age with a calm, even stare. Even behind the echoing crack as the sand counterweights reset his tibia, Swain’s measuring gaze never flickered, nor did his eyes twitch from the pop of his fibula. He refused the doctor’s recommendation of magical treatment for the leg’s inoperable damage, requesting only a spare crutch before shuffling away. He next surfaced in documents from the Noxian military, although it is evident that they are incomplete. Normally a crippled boy would be turned away in shame from Noxus’ proud legion, but the records indicate his first designation was that of a ranking officer.
The men who've served under him (and survived) have remained in his charge with unshakable faith and loyalty. He leapt through the High Command's hierarchy, often ascending when superiors requested demotions to join his unit. A cunning strategist, Swain was decorated after every battle he fought, regularly hobbling in contemplation at the front of the assault. His rise to power seemed unceasing until he was suddenly relegated to inactive status prior to the Ionian Invasion - a bewildering decision which reeked of bureaucratic subversion. If Swain was upset by the events which unfolded, he never belied it. His face was so implacable that it was popularly rumored to be a mask, disguising something utterly inhuman beneath. More controversy surrounded the bird that never left his shoulder, whose name he whispered only to it. When Demacia escalated its presence in the League, Swain was immediately returned to active duty.
Swain defeated Keiran Darkwill in a duel contesting the leadership of Noxus, winning the support of High Command. Despite rumors of involvement with the Institute of War's scandal in Kalamanda, Swain was named Grand General--the highest position in Noxus.
Prior to this engagement, High Command remained divided in support of the two men. Keiran Darkwill challenged Swain to a duel to settle the dispute, claiming that such a standstill was a "coward’s game." Many members of High Command believed this to be a strong move and expected Keiran, a notoriously skilled duelist, to win. Keiran initially had the upper hand but due to Swain's magical tactics, Keiran surprisingly lost.
The gathered members of High Command unanimously agreed to swear loyalty to the Master Tactician. With none remaining to protest his claim, High Command named Jericho Swain the Grand General of Noxus.
"If you haven't yet lost the ability to ask, you may not yet ask for relief."
―Swain
Alias: Grand General, The Master Tactician (The Orchestrator)
Race: Human (Extra-planar Demon)
Age: 43 (Eons old)
Occupation: Grand General of Noxus
Residence: Noxus, Darkbourne Hold
Alignment: Lawful Evil
Abilities:
Passive: Carrion Renewal
When The Master Tactician kills, his physical strength and magical potency are temporarily fortified by his victim's departing life-force.
Passive: Fiendish Familiar
Swain shares a soul-bond with his pet raven, Beatrice. The Raven has many eyes. He sees what she sees, hears what she hears and knows what she knows.
Passive: Demon in My View
As an outcast of a far-off plane and a connoisseur of life-force, The Orchestrator can sense the presence of others of its kind and discern natives of this realm from those offworld in origin.
Active: Decripify
Swain creates a searing tether between himself and another being, drawing upon both parties' life energies to cripple his target, slowing movement and inflicting significant pain. The tether can be maintained at a maximum range of 6 meters (~20 feet) and will break if the space between caster and target exceeds this distance. Because of Swain's soul link with Beatrice, this spell can be channeled through the raven if necessary.
Active: Nevermove
During his brief period of study at Witherwood Academy of Arcane Arts, Jericho mastered a single runic spell capable of transmogrifying any solid, non-sentient surface to his specifications. This alteration most frequently takes the form of nigh indestructible grasping talons. Nevermove's capacity is limited by Swain's surface-level understanding of the Rune of Resolve, Thurisaz, and therefore cannot alter a space of more than 3 square meters (~32 sqft). Altered matter returns to its original form after the runic magics holding it in place are withdrawn. The more frequently the Grand General makes use of this runic magic, the more warped his own body gradually becomes.
Active: Torment
Swain's magics manifest themselves in a large bolt of emerald and ebon flames, which he hurls at a target. Upon impact, the bolt delivers a temporary curse. Licking tongues of destructive flame-like energy surround the target inflicting immense pain, weakening magical resistances and corroding armor. The curse lasts up to five minutes, its duration dependent upon the fortitude of its bearer. The longer it lasts, the more damage it deals (to both body and armor.)
Transformation, Ultimate: The Orchestrator
Swain's human body twists and morphs to reveal The Orchestrator's true form; his skin seems to boil and slough off, his bones to crack and shift. The transformation is terrible to behold.
Eight feet tall with the physical strength of a stallion, the demon is a force to be reckoned with. It exudes an aura of fear, causing those of weaker constitutions to become terrified. By its very nature, the demon draws from the life forces of those around it, weakening them and using their energy to fortify its own strength. Few have born witness to this form off the Fields of Justice but those present at Kalamanda and Karthus, the Deathsinger.
Relationships:
Emilia (Evaine) LeBlanc/The Deceiver: The matron of the Black Rose, Jericho's lover and The Orchestrator's eternal partner, LeBlanc is the only person in whom Swain invests his trust--and the only one with deep insight into his being. He values her above all else and believes she is the only individual worthy to sit beside him upon the throne of this world. The depth of their relationship is almost entirely concealed from the public. On the great chessboard of the world, she is his queen.
Darius, The Hand of Noxus: The Grand General's second is a man upon whom he places significant value. Darius' loyalty and nationalistic fervor make him someone upon whom Swain can depend more than most. On the great chessboard of the world, he is a knight.
Draven, The Glorious Executioner: Though Swain can barely stand his second's kin on a personal level, his popularity makes him a useful tool for inspiring national pride and manipulating the public mindset. A bishop.
Katarina, The Sinister Blade: Though her loyalty to her country is strong, her suspicions about Swain and the Black Rose regarding her father's disappearance mean that she serves her purpose best at arms' length. Unfortunately for her, she wears her passions on her sleeve and is thus easily led along a trail of inconclusive evidence. A pawn.
Cassiopeia, The Serpent's Embrace: Like her sister, her family ties make her a liability and a threat--but she should never find that out. She is a pawn--but the Grand General eyes her warily, knowing that pawns can become queens if given a clear path to do so.
Renekton, The Butcher, The Culling Blade of Noxus: After Swain freed Renekton from his imprisonment at the Institute of War in secret and bound him with a blood pact to serve Noxus until The Master Tactician's dominion of Valoran had been secured, the mad demi-god acts as a valuable tool in the subjugation of those who would stand against the regime. A rook.
Brand, The Burning Vengeance: After his escape from the Institute of War, his assault upon Noxian borderlands and his subjugation by Noxian forces, The Orchestrator confronted the ancient spirit of cleansing fire with a proposition. Instead of reducing Runeterra to ash, they would rid it of the summoning magics that had torn the plane asunder and establish a New World Order, after which, Brand would be free to return to his home upon the plane of fire. Another rook.
Zed, The Master of Shadows: Swain and Zed entered into a deal after the Order of Shadows came under threat by the Ionian government. Zed would allow his province to be used as a gateway for Noxian forces to enter Ionia and together they would rid the land of "balance," establishing a world where the strong thrive, in which The Order of Shadows could operate freely and grow unhindered by the meddlesome Council of Elders and the opposed Kinkou. A knight.
Kassadin, The Voidwalker: Swain shares Kassadin’s hatred for the Void and is more than willing to ally himself with the Voidwalker in purging Runeterra of its influences. He is well aware of Kassadin’s hatred for Malzahar and his disillusionment with the Institute of War and will use both of these things to further his own goals. These goals, luckily, align with Kassadin’s own for the time being, for Runeterra cannot be ruled if it is consumed. In this case, the enemy of Swain’s enemy is his friend. A bishop.
Singed, The Mad Chemist: Swain funds many of Singed's projects, both personal and political. The Chemist has been offered select Zaunite territories as his own domain in which to experiment freely in the New World Order. He is currently in the process of developing chemical weapons for Noxus' future use. He has also overseen the development of a cure for the Grand General's debilitating ailments and is one of only two people who know the full extent of Swain's illness.
Urgot, The Headsman's Pride: Jericho served alongside (and over) Alexander Urgot for much of his military career. It was by his request that the Noxian government contracted Professor Stanwick Pididdly to perform the Rite of Reclamation. Urgot's loyalty to Noxus (and to Swain personally) make him a valuable asset despite his pride. He was chosen to captain The Great Wall and the band of criminal-soldiers stationed there.
Evelynn, The Widowmaker: Because of her ties with The Black Rose, her apparent fascination with Swain himself and her love of manipulation, she has proven a valuable source of information.
Elise, The Spider Queen: Jericho and Elise were both childhood members of the Black Rose. She acted as a self-appointed older sister to him until they had a falling out due to her jealousy over Evaine. Recently, the two were reunited. Because of Elise's disillusionment with the Shadow Isles and The Ruined King, she sought to re-join The Black Rose and find acceptance in Noxus once again. The Raven's eyes are upon her. If she manages to perform as an informant on the Isles, she will be rewarded. If not... the hedges must be pruned.
General Girard Laurentine III: A smooth-talking High Commander and cryomancer in charge of the militarization of Zaun. Swain is marginally pleased with his work and his diplomatic approach to leadership.
General Maria Blackwind: This High Commander was chosen to oversee Noxian operations in Ionia for her steadfastness, her loyalty and her strength.
General Decavian Theun: His eagerness to serve his country eclipses his arrogant demeanor. As long as he is away on assignment and not bragging in the War Room, the Grand General has no qualms with him.
General Zorn Agammond/Amarills Astieux: Agammond was replaced by a Black Rose illusionist because of his perceived treachery. Swain does not pay Astieux much heed, knowing she is fully under LeBlanc's command--and, by extension, his own.
General Neronis "The Gauntlet" Voxel: Swain is confident in this man's capacity, having served alongside him in the Barbarian Pacification Campaigns.
General-Doctor Valeria Von Mordenheim: The newest member of High Command is both a scholar and a gentlewoman. Swain has appointed her over Noxian education in attempt to unify the rival academies Witherwood and Bleak and bring about a Noxian renaissance in the wake of League research restrictions. Because she is a member of the Black Rose, he expects her to operate dependably under LeBlanc's orders.
General Serria Kromine: TBD
General Daren Baol: TBD
General Killgore "Skull-Taker" Vaughn: TBD
Riven, The Exile: A foolish girl, a coward and a deserter. Her venture into Noxus and poorly conceived attempt to incite hatred against him as he unified their nation against the backdrop of a world in turmoil exposed her as the child he believes she is. Rather than kill her, Swain will use his influences to twist her and break her, to turn her into a mockery of the ideals by which she swears.
Talon, The Blade's Shadow: An enemy of the state, plain and simple. He is a threat to the Grand General's master plan. If he is caught, he will be killed.
Prince Jarvan Lightshield IV, The Exemplar of Demacia: A spoiled brat, Jarvan is the physical manifestation of everything Swain believes is wrong with the world and a major representative of the oppressive class and system that wronged him. When the pieces fall into place, The Master Tactician will be satisfied to finally drain the prince's life-force from his helpless form. Every. Last. Drop.
Nocturne, The Eternal Nightmare: After being haunted by Nocturne as part of Its deal with Talon, The Master Tactician regards this specter with a mixture of contempt and terror. He has since been protected against its assaults, but the scars it left in his mind will never leave him.
The Ruined King: Swain regards the fallen king with extreme caution. Should the Grand General's affiliation with The Black Rose, the very organization that brought about the king's downfall, become known to him, he would likely stop at nothing to destroy Noxus.
Description:
(Pre-Ascension)
Hunched and shrunken, just over 5'6", The Master Tactician appears as a sickly, brittle man, aged prematurely by stress, illness and constant toil. The tremor of his body is violent, his frame is slight enough that the contours of his bones can be seen through his skin--but his voice carries an imperious tone and his eyes glow red with palpable intensity. Despite his unimpressive stature and limping gait, an aura of subjugating power surrounds the Grand General, inspiring caution and submission wherever he goes.
(The Orchestrator)
Looming at eight feet tall and weighing half a ton, The Master Tactician's demon form dwarfs most humanoids. It is coated in ebony feathers with six luminous crimson eyes and muscular arms ending in razor-sharp talons.
Biography:
The earliest account of Swain's existence comes from a Noxian infirmary doctor's notes. According to them, Swain limped into the ward without cry or complaint: his right leg was snapped in half, with bone protruding from the skin. A small, scowling bird seemed affixed to his shoulder. The doctor gawked in horror as the young adolescent answered questions about his health and age with a calm, even stare. Even behind the echoing crack as the sand counterweights reset his tibia, Swain’s measuring gaze never flickered, nor did his eyes twitch from the pop of his fibula. He refused the doctor’s recommendation of magical treatment for the leg’s inoperable damage, requesting only a spare crutch before shuffling away. He next surfaced in documents from the Noxian military, although it is evident that they are incomplete. Normally a crippled boy would be turned away in shame from Noxus’ proud legion, but the records indicate his first designation was that of a ranking officer.
The men who've served under him (and survived) have remained in his charge with unshakable faith and loyalty. He leapt through the High Command's hierarchy, often ascending when superiors requested demotions to join his unit. A cunning strategist, Swain was decorated after every battle he fought, regularly hobbling in contemplation at the front of the assault. His rise to power seemed unceasing until he was suddenly relegated to inactive status prior to the Ionian Invasion - a bewildering decision which reeked of bureaucratic subversion. If Swain was upset by the events which unfolded, he never belied it. His face was so implacable that it was popularly rumored to be a mask, disguising something utterly inhuman beneath. More controversy surrounded the bird that never left his shoulder, whose name he whispered only to it. When Demacia escalated its presence in the League, Swain was immediately returned to active duty.
Swain defeated Keiran Darkwill in a duel contesting the leadership of Noxus, winning the support of High Command. Despite rumors of involvement with the Institute of War's scandal in Kalamanda, Swain was named Grand General--the highest position in Noxus.
Prior to this engagement, High Command remained divided in support of the two men. Keiran Darkwill challenged Swain to a duel to settle the dispute, claiming that such a standstill was a "coward’s game." Many members of High Command believed this to be a strong move and expected Keiran, a notoriously skilled duelist, to win. Keiran initially had the upper hand but due to Swain's magical tactics, Keiran surprisingly lost.
The gathered members of High Command unanimously agreed to swear loyalty to the Master Tactician. With none remaining to protest his claim, High Command named Jericho Swain the Grand General of Noxus.
"If you haven't yet lost the ability to ask, you may not yet ask for relief."
―Swain
