The Black Knight
One Thousand Club
Nickname: Leon, Leo
Alias: The Lion, The Lion Heart, King Slayer
Age: 26
Birthplace: Anima, the destroyed Demi-Human kingdom. Now called, "The Womb."
Gender: Male
Race: Demi-Human
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 210 lbs
Hair Color: Sun blonde and feathered, it appears to glow under certain lighting. He keeps his hair cut short; however, it is capable of growing into a thick mane and his jaw is capable of growing an impressive full beard.
Eye Color: Gold. His pupils will become like slits when he is angry.
Skin: Bright cream
Physique: Solid
Legend: (B.M.) Prior to the arrival of the gods, Leonhardt was the royal family’s firstborn and heir. They say he was born under the sun and when he was pulled from the womb, his body glowed. He always seemed to carry this glow as he grew older. The royal family’s sigil was the golden lion, and many of his people believed that he exemplified this. Leonhardt grew into a strong young man. He often traveled Beloriel and participated in tournaments. Under the alias, The Lion, Leonhardt appeared on stage donning a bronze helm in the shape of a lion’s head. He won numerous tournaments without ever revealing his identity, and he turned down every single prize: gold and marriage proposals. The prince competed merely for the sport and challenge.
Once upon a time, relations between Human and Demi-Human became hostile. There were many protests and claims of discrimination against the Lands of Caroline. The discord went so far that the king was nearly assassinated by a Demi-Human panther. The attack sparked an immediate call to arms. The Caroline army and navy crossed the Crystal Sea to confront Anima, and it was the Anima King, Leonidas who waited for them. At his side was his stubborn son Leonhardt, who refused to stay behind. The three royals met on the battlefield, and they realized neither of them wanted bloodshed. Instead, they decided to settle the war with a fight between champions.
Leonhardt challenged the Caroline champion to a duel and won. With no intention of killing his opponent, Leonhardt attempted to help him to his feet when an arrow was fired from the Caroline side and struck the prince in what many a Demi-Human feared was his heart. The assassination attempt triggered an outrage. Arrows were loosed, and to the kings’ surprise, Leonhardt had used his shield to guard himself and the champion from the flurry. It was then from Leonhardt that a roar so thunderous froze the entire battlefield. “STOP!” No arrows were loosed. Not a word was spoken. An angry prince rose to his feet and walked away from the champion. He returned to his father with the arrow still lodged in his chest. He was fortunate that the spade had barely missed his heart.
Mounting his horse, Leonhardt asked his father to withdraw their army. The Anima army withdrew without pursuit from Caroline. Amazed by the Demi-Humans’ show of honor, the Caroline King forgave them, and instead honored them at a Peace Ball. Leonhardt was deemed, “The Lionheart,” by the Caroline King.
(A.M.) There once was a surviving settlement between the Dragon Lands and the Toblin Marshes. It was a human settlement called Keld, a village once known for its cheeses and freshwater food. Toblins were stealing the women and taking them back to the marshes to breed with them. Keld became a village of single fathers. When Leonhardt arrived, he was initially unwelcomed. The Keldians didn’t like strangers, especially Demi-Human ones. They refused to give him food and water or a place to rest. It was one child who approached him and snuck him into his father’s barn. The boy named Jakob had told him that he looked like a strong warrior. He told Leonhardt about the Toblins and begged him to get their mothers back. Jakob stole Leonhardt a meal and allowed him to rest for a day. During the night, the Toblins came to Keld again, seeking out women. Leonhardt met them and single-handedly slaughtered the band. He had one of the Toblins lead him to their hideout in the marshes where he faced an ambush. Leonhardt dispatched the ambushers and pressed on into their cave. He found the women locked away in a prison and set them free. As he was escorting them to safety, a gargantuan creature followed them. He thought at first that it was a dragon, but it was a fat salamander, one of many Toblin Kings, who tried to douse them with fire. Leonhardt guarded the women with his shield and told them to flee. The last they saw of him was a man in gold standing amidst a great fire.
The women returned to Keld, but the mysterious warrior did not. To this day, the Keldians wonder whatever happened to him. They knew he was still alive for one morning on the village outskirts, they found the corpse of the dead great salamander. The Keldians used the corpse to ward off anymore Toblins, and they have been safe ever since.
Personality: Leonhardt is mostly humble, but when it comes to a challenge, he can be very cocky. Before Meteor (B.M.), Leonhardt used to travel the land, challenging every warrior and champion, and dominating various tournaments. He fought mostly to learn and test himself. He wanted to constantly assess his strength, techniques, and improve his training, and what better way than to get his butt kicked around a few times. In Anima, his subjects were too afraid to cut him, and so he never got a real fight. The former prince was always starving for a real match to his might.
As a former prince, Leonhardt grew up very pampered. He had the best education and lessons on etiquette. He knows how to play the role of an ideal diplomat and pose as a role model gentleman as opposed to the beasts Demi-Humans are stereotyped to be. He still talks with a proper tone to his speech. As The Lionheart, he is fearless. He charges into battle without tremble and will walk up to the greatest threat unshaken. As kind and gentle as Leonhardt appears, the grief of his lost family and home still weighs on his shoulders heavier than his armor and gear. His worst fears have already happened. He has lost everything. He has even lost his identity. Who would believe he was the true heir to Anima and not some look alike? Not even the Caroline King would believe it for he was a teenager when he last saw him, and Leonhardt has since been aged by hardship.
There was much Leonhardt had to learn about the world After Meteor (A.M.). Before, he crossed it like a tourist; a sightseer seeking entertainment. Once he was no longer royal, he learned about betrayal. Thieves stole from him. Creatures that hadn’t existed before tried to kill him in his sleep. He learned about starvation, and was pushed to the brink of suicide. It was kill or be killed. Whether anyone believed it or not, Leonhardt had pride! A lion’s pride! He overcame the hardship and learned to survive and his legend strode on.
In a team, Leonhardt plays a defender role. He will protect those who need to be protected and come to their rescue if they are in a tight spot. His actions are often deemed foolish and reckless. Having lost everything, Leonhardt sometimes doesn’t even value his own life. He harbors a secret depression, which causes him to do things as though no one would care what would happen to him. Did they succeed? Yes? Then that’s all that matters. Leonhardt doesn't want his team to worry, and he doesn't want their pity. Therefore, he keeps his sadness hidden behind a pleasant mask.
Background: Leonhardt was born to King Leonidas and Queen Akali Animaeus. He was their firstborn son and destined heir to the Anima throne. The boy was fortunate to have been born in Anima, the largest city in all of Beloriel. He was given the best food, clothes, education, but not exactly the best training—at least not to Leonhardt’s standard. Therefore, the boy often went on tours mainly to escape the kingdom and compete in tournaments. He kept his antics a secret and often paid his servants to keep their mouths shut. As mentioned in his legend, Leonhardt once ended a war with a roar. With such honor and repute behind his name, he was set to occupy the throne. But everything vanished in one great flash.
His battle lust had saved him. Leonhardt was on his way to participate in another tournament when his home disappeared. His knights who were with him at the time continued to guard him as they rushed back to the kingdom. What they found was only a crater; a nightmare; a hellmouth. Leonhardt couldn’t believe it. The monsters that crawled out of it forced them to retreat. Leonhardt spent five years running. His knights protected him until he was 20 years old, and then grew tired. They were no longer bound by duty. Leonhardt wasn’t even their king anymore. They abandoned him and left him to survive alone in a world that was transforming into hell. Leonhardt wandered, struggled, and nearly went insane. He fell beyond rock bottom. There didn’t seem to be anyone left alive. Those who were alive only wanted to steal from him and leave him to be eaten by monsters in their desperation to survive.
[IMG='width:298px;']https://i.imgur.com/B8xkyNE.jpg[/IMG]There was a period in his life where he thought about dying. A great predator had hunted him. The creature followed him, taking its time as though knowing Leonhardt would soon grow tired. Leonhardt eventually dropped to his knees and submitted to the creature. He figured that if he died, then the nightmare would end. He would be reunited with his family, and disappear as his story was meant to. When the predator lunged, Leonhardt surprised himself when he reacted. Grabbing a sharp stick, he drove it into the creature’s eye. Out of fear of being mauled to death, he continued to drive the stick deeper until he believed it pierced its brain. The beast died, and something was born in its place—inside Leonhardt. Determination. Pride. What a horrible end to his story that almost was? Leonhardt decided that if he was to die, it would be in battle, where he was meant to be. The one place he always sought. If he was to die, it would be glorious.
From taking on small predators, Leonhardt’s strength grew the larger his challenges became. He started traveling the land as he once did, seeking challenges in the forms of monsters. His legend continued. One day, Leonhardt was resting in the Valley of Steeds, having tamed a new companion. A dove landed on his knee and curiously hopped across his chest and pecked his cheek. Leonhardt opened his eyes and saw that the dove had a scroll tied to its leg. Unraveling the message, he read the summons and rising to his feet, he donned his armor and equipment, mounted his horse, and rode off to The Last Kingdom.
Gear:
⬢ Lion Helm: A helm bronze in color and yet gold in the light of the sun. It is fashioned in the same mold his tournament helm was designed. It is the head of a lion, and through its maw Leonhardt is able to see.
⬢ Lion Armor: A heavy armor of silver and pseudo-gold. It was tempered using the flames of a salamander, a creature whose breath is fabled to be hotter than a dragon. He wears a micro-chain mail beneath, designed by an eight-legged Demi-Human blacksmith. Leonhardt’s armor is not only for fashion, it is heavy, and while it does steal speed from him, his lack of speed is made up with a sturdy defense. No normal man can wear Leonhardt’s armor. Anyone who lifts it is usually shocked that he is even able to move. Perks: Fire Resistance.
⬢ Clothing: Beneath his armor, Leonhardt wears simple clothes. Tunics and stitched trousers, and deer-skin shoes. Seeing Leonhardt out of his armor can surprise some since he is mostly seen wearing it. Once he’s shed his shell, the body which carries it is revealed, and it is brawny.
Weapon:
⬢ Lion Sword: Leonhardt is pretty simple when it comes to naming things. Like his armor, his sword was tempered from the same salamander flames. The blade is sharper than an average sword. He can cut through the trunk of a tree and through a boulder. Perks: Fire Resistance.
⬢ Lion Shield: Tempered from the flames of the salamander, Leonhardt’s shield is fire resistant. While he mostly uses it for defense, he will bash enemies with it, and with two hands, he can send it flying like a discus. Aided by magic, the shield always returns to him. Leonhardt will also use his shield as a sled to slide beneath larger foes or for a quick downhill charge. Perks: Fire Resistance.
Magic:
⬢ Roar of the King: Leonhardt will unleash a scream that saps the enemy’s courage. Lesser enemies will often turn tail and flee. Formidable enemies will be aggravated and take his roar as a challenge, drawing attention to himself.
⬢ Shield Throw: Leonhardt will lob his shield at an enemy. Whether the shield misses or hits, it will return to him. He can charge the shield with sunlight and use it as a blazing disc to scorch multiple enemies it passes through.
⬢ Reflect: Leonhardt will absorb magic and kinetic energy with his shield. He will determine when to release the energy, but if his shield absorbs too much, it becomes at risk of breaking. The absorbed energy is returned along with Leonhardt’s own magic, making it ten times as strong.
⬢ Sun Blade: Leonhardt charges his sword with sunlight and his every swing becomes large, white-hot crescent blades. The blades fly swiftly through the air in the direction of Leonhardt’s swings, incinerating anything in their path.
Abilities:
⬢ Inhuman Strength: Leonhardt is very strong. The armor he wears is not exactly made of cardboard and he walks around in it much like a normal person wears clothing. He can throw his great kite shield like a boomerang and tank the hits from enemies inhumanly strong.
⬢ Diplomacy: Having once upon a time been royalty, Leonhardt has a way with words. His persuasion arts are pretty impressive.
⬢ Indomitable Will: Having been on the brink of self-destruction, Leonhardt overcame himself. He has taken charge of his life, and he is determined to see it through to the end. No one will get in his way.
⬢ Animal Affinity: As a Demi-Human, Leonhardt has a way with animals. They strangely gravitate toward him. It’s almost like they understand each other. He was able to tame a wild horse in the Valley of Steeds.
Legendary Power: Secret. Will be revealed if ever used in game.
Extra:
Moonrunner a.k.a. "Horse"
Description: Moonrunner is a white mare, and even though Leonhardt has given her a name, he still calls her "Horse." Again, he's very simple with his naming conventions. She completes his unintentional knight in shining armor appearance. He gave her the name Moonrunner because her stark-white pelt glowed on a moonlit night. The two seem to understand each other like good friends. She carries all of his equipment and is capable of traveling for three days straight until she needs to rest. However, Leonhardt takes good care of her and would never push her so hard unless he had to.
Leonhardt's Theme
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