~Mavros “Mav” Kerridge~
Aliases:
Mason Rusk - Former name, one that hadn’t ever really held more than personal baggage and one he thought little of shedding
Crimson Magician - A former label that a life of thievery earned him in the Westernmost nations
Magiano - A myth, a legend, a rumored demon who preys on those weak-willed to dark deceits in the localized towns and foreign region Mavros hails from
Gender:
Male
Age:
26
Sexuality:
Yes - Albeit Harbors Disillusionment On The Definition Of Love
Rank:
Alcolyte
Appearance:
Mavros is easily an entity that embodies the definition of what it means to be tempted by something imperfectly perfect. With an angular facial structure, akin to a diamond, Mav definitively possesses a set of higher reigning cheekbones prominent beneath sunken eyes flawed with the discoloration of ever-present exhaustion. In stark contrast, Mavros’ eyes are a lively spectacle made up of a striking emerald green pigment with hints of bronze peppered beside his pupil. With a semi-narrow, yet downturned shape, these eyes possess wispy onyx lashes that often spill over his sight. Above these alluring orbs sit eyebrows that are of an average thickness at the beginning, while they form a slight arch just short of the midpoint before lightly thinning at the ends.
In terms of other features, the most unremarkable would be the man’s nose - both mediocre and unassuming to even a seasoned critic’s eye. However, if one had to describe it, it could be regarded as having a pointed tip, paired with a straight bridge and narrow nostrils. Notably, Mav would look to have a touch of hollowness to his cheeks and a strict jawline. While he tends to put in effort to remain clean-shaven, he’s not without periods of embracing both light and more moderate stubble peppering his visage. It often depends on circumstance, opportunity, and his mood of course to determine how much grooming he invests in himself.
Grooming, of course, never translates to the touseled, improper, and thick ringlets atop his head. This thick, buoyant-appearing hair parrots the coloration of a raven; a wholly black shade of color, yet glossy in appearance when reflecting the sun's rays. The soft ticks and curves of his curls curtain his forehead, yet it’s not so much untamed that it impairs his vision. The style also tapers off nicely at the nape of his neck, and Mav has never been one to let it grow beyond such a length.
Being not-so-blessed to stand at a more average height of 5’9, to coincide with this shorter stance, the impression of being formidable falls very short with Mav. If it weren’t for the prominent toning he’s gained along his long limbs, he risks being perceived as a strictly lankily limbed creature. Having an athletic mass, the young man carries a figure resembling a more proportional rectangular shape - with his shoulders squaring even with his hips. Mav’s skin could be perceived as a warmer shade of porcelain and is not without harboring both accenting beauty marks scattered across the realm of his physique, as well as craters of imperfection in the form of various scarring. While having no mark abundantly severe, these bodily accents he has are not distinctly ignorable either. Both jagged and clean lines flaw his otherwise warm skin, more so collecting along his upper arms, abdomen, and legs. While he could not account for how each varying scar has been earned, he is not a man averse to conjuring wild and magnificent tales to go along with each one.
Personality:
Greedy; Mavros has operated more on greed than oxygen for most of his life, and not so surprisingly, it has also cost him greatly. From a young age, Mav had thirsted to have nothing short of everything he deserved in life, which led him to acquire a taste for nothing but the best. Though the only thing more valuable to Mavros than acquiring currency or shiny possessions is his life, and while not the easiest thing to swallow, he is a man capable of setting aside this trait for the sake of self-preservation when needed.
Resourceful; Having survived for a large portion of his childhood on creative thinking and the resources provided around him, Mavros is more than capable of making the most out of many environments he finds himself in. Life has certainly knocked him off his feet more than a few times, but his resourceful nature has always provided him the ground to begin to get a leg back up on. From utilizing makeshift tools and weapons (that in childhood had been used for no more than catching food and making simple things), the world could easily be Mav’s oyster when he puts his mind to work. Having also been around a lot over the years, he has found socializing among various locations and with certain people has provided him with reliable connections and sources. With the information and interesting details that has been divulged to him, Mav had learned it sells for a pretty price - which inadvertently put him on the radar of the same people he has now sworn himself to.
Quick-witted; Thinking on a dime is one of the most valuable assets Mavros has ever acquired and one that has been a literal life-saver on more than one occasion. While he had perfected this art in his time of being a focused thief, it goes hand-in-hand with the expectations required of being able to perform as a well-functioning being within the organization he’s found himself in. While this is mostly perceived as an asset, Mav also has the habit of jumping to conclusions rather quickly and acting on impulse with less consideration if he believes at the moment that the first decision to come to mind is the right one to lead with.
Opportunistic; When an advantageous opportunity arises, Mavros is an individual who generally seizes what is presented to him. The only factors he considers when weighing opportunity are the rewards and the risk to his own health. If choosing to divulge in even the most tempting of opportunities risks his livelihood in ways he would rather not gamble with, he’ll recoil, albeit channel the dismay of his lost opportunity into various other means of personal satisfaction and contentment.
Attentive; Most notably, Mav is a wonderful listener, which is one of the most prominent qualities to have earned him confidence within people capable of feeding him valuable information. Reading people is also a skill that Mav has worked very hard to get down to a science, furthermore for the sake of knowing how to better approach situations with others that will provide him with the incentive to gain any kind of advantage.
Charming; Being able to swindle and charm, to persuade and bait, comes very natural to Mavros. This kind of quality is something he’s never had to work hard at using, even having found his charm to be capable of allowing him to talk himself in and out of trouble on quite a few occasions. Beyond using his charm for impure intentions, Mav can just authentically be a charismatic and amiable entity to be around.
Cunning; Carefully crafted deceits, well-executed manipulations, and a guileful frame of mind provide Mav with a cunning streak almost worthy of manifesting fear in those he chooses to use it against. While primarily used for self-interest, and for when it is necessary, Mavros skillfully places people into positions of aiding him - whether they realize such a thing or not. Being someone who cannot rely on physical strength alone or enviable combat, Mavros’ mind is his best friend when it comes to ensuring not only his survival but also his value.
Detached; Mavros has found it imperative in his life to maintain an emotional distance from his actions and their consequences, having viewed his approach to survival as a means to an end that’s satisfied him enough to not stray from how he’s chosen to live. This has also resulted in a lack of ability to maintain genuine connections with people, sourced from a truth that if he were to allow himself to become too emotionally invested in someone, it would become a distraction, and easily something that challenge and compromise his turmoil of preserving himself.
Loyal; Prior to the Syndicate, Mavros only had himself and a handful of connections to be steadfastly loyal to. It’s been vital for his own survival to have his own best interest at heart when no one and nothing else did, which left little room for him to explore what it meant to be dedicated to something beyond himself. While Mav’s initial sense of loyalty to the Syndicate is one that is more pragmatic, recognizing the practical benefits being a member provides for him, it’s also given him a reason to rethink the personal values that left him so desperate as to swear himself so definitely to something he otherwise would have strayed from ever being associated with. In any case, Mavros is at the very least a man of his word. A promise is a promise, a vow is a vow - no matter how inconvenient it may be to him to fulfill.
Sarcastic; While he does have a penchant for a diverse range of humor, Mavros generally is one to practice sarcasm as a second language. Most often, he would like to believe he reserves it for humorous banter and using it for good fun, but there are times he dances on the line of timing when delivering his sarcastic comments and retorts. The trouble with his sarcasm as well, is that its delivery can be so fluid, some tend to mistake it as authentic, which does not always fair well for him.
Open-Minded; While still carrying his own personal beliefs and perspectives of the world and people around him, Mavros is very open to listening and understanding the ways in which the world may be viewed in the eyes of others. Being able to embrace and acknowledge diverse perspectives has also been a tool that’s allowed him to properly maintain confidence in those he finds himself reliant on for various reasons, as well as those he seeks to acquire information from. Mav is also a man more than willing to learn anything useful that’s offered to him, even beyond his realm of current capability, if only to pursue a more crucial necessity of growing his sense of adaptability and versatility.
Strengths:
Quick Thinker: Intelligence alone is only a strength if one can properly utilize it, and Mavros certainly can with both speed and efficiency. His rapid intellect makes him quick on his feet when it comes to analyzing everything around him, and compelling him to make well-informed decisions in a very short period of time. This also plays a hand in his quick-witted responses and the ability to adapt on a dime if need be.
Agile; Most mastered in his livelihood before the Syndicate, Mavros is a creature capable of efficient speed and nimble movements. It has been most utilized to get him in and out of problematic places and trouble, but he’s also more than capable of harnessing his agility for the sake of stealth.
Acquiring Information; One of his most valuable assets is the ability to earn the confidence of people who have vital details worth sharing. If not directly earned, Mavros has a specific knack for knowing both how to blend in and where to place himself in order to overhear crucial conversations or witness less than legitimate trades and transactions.
Throwing Knives/Concealed Knives; In his youth, Mavros practiced the art of throwing knives as both a pastime, and as a creative way to manifest well-timed distractions. His aim is usually relatively true, although he is not without missing his mark on occasion. As per concealed knives, it became more crucial with the more bridges he’s burned across various stretches of land to be better suited at defending himself. The easiest and most effective method for him to learn was how to properly wield concealed knives on his person when in close confrontation and combat with another.
Acting; Where Mavros may lack in the learned discipline of those both above him and generally surround him, he does make up for in being able to pull tricks out of his sleeve. He’s more inclined to make a stealthy getaway when faced with difficult situations, and could fight back to a degree if need be, but Mavros also possesses the skill of faking it until he makes it. This is typically associated with his charm, but he can mirror enough intimidating mannerisms to at least give the illusion he may be a formidable entity, if only to buy him enough time to think of a more creative solution to get out of harm's way.
Weaknesses:
Combat; While Mavros can use knives as a defense fairly well, he is no more than barely above a novice when it comes to properly handling himself in combat, most especially against someone with legitimate training and practiced technique.
Physical Strength; There is not a ton of physical power backing Mavros, although he is far from fragile or necessarily weak. Overpowering people through brute strength alone is a fight he knows he will usually not win, and because he’s gotten off on being more nimble and crafty, he’s gone out of his way to dedicate himself to building his strength.
Impulsive; Only in moments where he needs to be quick of thought does Mav act on impulse, typically going with the first thought he has on instinct. Usually, he trusts his attentive nature to make informed decisions on a dime, but sometimes this approach means he fails to consider the bigger picture.
At War With Himself; Having only taken the oath and been ushered in as a member of the Syndicate a handful of months ago, Mavros is in a current state of grueling personal transition. Giving himself to an organization went against everything he valued even a year ago, but everything he valued had also led him down a path of fear and desperation. The Syndicate offered somewhere to belong, but he did not initially grasp that he would be selling his soul. Despite the personal challenges and growth he has had to acknowledge and adapt to, the Syndicate has also at least given him the incentive to dare to think of a future - and while there is a long path ahead for him still, he’s dedicated enough to strive to be better, and most importantly, to not burn this sacred bridge.
Guarded; Mavros is not someone who knows how to properly handle authentic emotions and feelings towards people, let alone in closer connections, which has led him to keep people at a distance. This isn't to say he's unfriendly or directly indifferent, he just tends to be a bit more enigmatic when it comes to knowing him on a personal level. He's had no one but himself for a very long time, and while self-reliance is generally a good quality, he's leaned so much into himself that he struggles to depend on and lean on anyone else.
Affiliations:
Open - PM me
Backstory:
The only thing Mavros recalls before age six was the brutal civil war that had engulfed his homeland, and being sent with a small number of other children by boat to seek refuge with an extension of people from their land who were established across the sea. He could not say he remembers the faces, voices, or native language of his parents. A clergy of priests devoted to a dying polytheistic religion in an isolated village were the ones who intercepted Mav and the other children, where his original name had been butchered into ‘Mason Rusk’, although he does not recall his original birth name. Mavros had considered the other children he found sanctuary with his siblings, to some degree, anyway. Resources were scarce in the localized village, and hunger was a close friend - yet Mavros was taught how to survive off of what was available. Learning how to properly hunt and prepare food, fish, read and write, and sew makeshift clothing, as well as learn the customs of the religion he was surrounded by were all things Mavros had under his belt by ten. This didn’t stop Mav from acquiring the taste to have more than what circumstance provided though, and thus he began teaching himself the art of thieving. Whether it be from the food offerings to the gods in the village temples, small items from his own peers, or whatever goods he could from travelers who would ride down a path not so far from his village that went in the direction of the closest town, that otherwise considered the village a threat to their own increasingly popular religious customs and way of life.
Mav's life went up in literal flames within the village at age fourteen, when he became the sole fleeing survivor of the slaughtering and persecution of the village inhabitants. The village of Magio was no more, but from the ashes of the place wrongfully swallowed by a hate-fueled inferno had birthed the tale of Magiano - a demon of the dark arts who had been set free after the persecution of ‘the village of sinners’. The myth had twisted itself over a short amount of time and spread through various towns in the region, though in all truth the monster they had believed to exist was only a boy blessed with masterful thievery, very creative theatrics, and gossip. Mavros had convinced himself back then that he had never truly been close enough to anyone within his village to mourn them, if only to cast aside the survivor’s guilt that would have otherwise hindered his own self-preservation.
Eventually, Mav’s way of escape from the lands he had grown tired of by seventeen had been by bribing, hiding among cargo, being transported by ships to various ports, and adapting to survive in the new environments where he had begun to earn a new label for his thieving reputation among the Western Sealands - the Crimson Magician. Through the several years Mav spent mastering street games rigged for his success, learning how to use social engineering to his advantage, and ultimately utilizing the skill of adapting his identity to be whomever he may need to be in the pursuit of his selfish aspirations, the more danger he began exposing himself to. More specifically when it came to more prominently influential entities within the Sealands and the sensitive details Mav had come in possession of pertaining to them.
Before things could become any more dangerous, Mavros fled again, reaching a port in Kraegios, and inserting himself into the more underground and black market communities surrounding the port. There Mavros had begun selling the same information he was being pursued for, and furthermore began establishing a rapport with small, yet reliable sources within the area and community. Short of a year passed of Mavros balancing the careful trade of secrets as well as remaining hidden enough to evade those he was seeking to avoid. Mav's method of survival through the selling of more appealing secrets though garnered the attention of the Leader of the same Syndicate he soon swore himself to, which has more or less led Mavros to no choice other than to commit to his new path and strive for no more than to maintain both his oath and himself.
Other:
Crashing or infiltrating some kind of key event held between the kingdoms to celebrate their impending union under the peace treaty - whether it be a ball, tournament, or seasonal festival of some kind is bound to rouse some drama.
A potential personal vendetta for one of the assassins become intertwined with the guild’s goal and complicates things, or worse, suspicions of betrayal or a double agent. It might be a little more difficult to work in a legitimate betrayal in such a small group, but it could be possible, and it would add higher stakes/difficulties to the general mission.
It might be worth considering the direct links of feuding between the kingdoms, for the sake of the assassins being able to weaponize aspects of the simmered animosity and unbury it to at least kickstart some unrest in order to more clearly lay the track to their goal? If it’s a historically based feud (maybe disputed land claims, an ‘improper’ founding of one of the kingdoms), stirring the pot of injustices and slights each kingdom has between them could certainly fan the flames of the fire they’re trying to cage. Religious or ideological differences usually make for the foundation of seething dislike between societies, so the guild could take aim at religious/ideological influencers versus just political entities? There’s also the intricacy of blackmail and bribery to extract information the guild could probably utilize in their favor.
Lots of loose ideas/suggestions here, but it’s something :)
Winter 
Day 
Blizzard
