General Information

Kolya, also known as Ratibor prior to his Hermetic "Gauntlet", is a Hedge Wizard native to the lands of Kievan Rus. As a Koldun, he worships the Slavic God of War and Thunder, Perun and serves as a warrior-priest in his patron's struggle with the local Faerie Gods. Having learned of the Order of Hermes and power they can bestow, he saw an opportunity to gain an ally in the war he wages...and have some fun along the way!


Physical Appearance

Kolya is truly a giant of a man, standing at approximately eight feet in height with broad shoulders and muscular build. His usual attire consists of a leather scale armor and a small arsenal of weapons consisting of a large pole axe and several throwing axes. When out of his armor, Kolya usually dons simple fur clothes to help keep him warm in the cold east. That considered, one could easily be forgiven for not recognizing him as a magician.
He has a shoulder-length bushy black hair, and as he often neglects to shave, his facial hair has completely encircled his chin to form a proper beard.


Personality

A jolly, funloving man, in and out of combat Kolya is almost always laughing and smiling, trying to derive as much joy as he can from most situations. But most of all, he enjoys the thrill of battle and relishes the chance to fight worthy foes, be they skilled mortal fighters, monsters, magicians or Gods themselves. Although he believes any problem can be solved if enough violence is applied, he is not above using diplomacy, assuming he can relegate the task to a more competent spokesmen. As Kolya tends to wear his heart around his sleeve,  more often then not he will speak his mind, and be quite blunt about it.

As an unbridled Pagan, Kolya also has little respect for the Dominion and it's worshipers. Though it may come as a surprise to most outsiders, this animosity extends to the Faeries as well.


Characteristics

Intelligence: 2 (Astute)
Perception: -3 (Inattentive)
Strength: 6 (Monstrous)
Stamina: 4 (Resilient)
Presence: 2 (Commanding)
Communication: -3 (Brash)
Dexterity: 2 (Ferocious)
Quickness 1 (Faster-than-he-Looks)


Casting Sigil

Befitting a Koldun of Perun, all of Kolya's spells are accompanied by sparks of lightning, cackling over his body. The apparent voltage depends on the magnitude of the effect. Weaker spells set off small sparks, while a higher magnitude spell can engulf him or his target in a spiral lightning arc. Of course, since these are a result of his sigil, they are only cosmetic, and do no real harm to him or his targets.


Voting Sigil

None yet.


Virtues

The Gift (Special): Born with an innate ability to practice magic or "Koldovali" as his people would call it. To Svyatogori Tribe ,the Gift, despite it's negative effects to those around it, marked one as a chosen of the Gods. It is believed those who had it were destined for great deeds...and an early grave.

Hermetic Magus (Social Status, Free): Having sworn the Oath of Hermes, Kolya can be considered a full-fledged member of the Order. Yet his status as a "Magus" remains purely nominal as he still practices his Koldovali and prefers to be called a "Koldun" instead.

Arcane Lore (General, Free): Upon joining the Order of Hermes, Kolya underwent a nominal apprenticeship under Zoya's pater, who taught him the basic history and rules of the institution. By the end of his apprenticeship, he was also taught the secrets of Parma Magica, beyond the basics of it, surprisingly enough.

Giant's Blood (General, Major): As an offspring of a Human-Giant couple, Kolya is far larger then an average human. The blood coursing though his veins grants him inhuman strength and resilience.

Magical Blood (Supernatural, Minor): Kolya's supernatural blood is particularly potent, hardening his body to an extend beyond normal, even for a giant-blood. This potency also seems to have an effect on his aging process, as he ages slower then an average man. Though slowed, his aging is not halted.

Great Strength (General, Minor, x2): Kolya's strength, enhanced by his Giant heritage exceed what is normally possible for a mortal.

Tough (General, Minor): Trained from an early age to be a Warrior, Kolya has become accustomed to pain and can take most hits without flinching.

Affinity with Great Weapon (General, Minor): In combat, Kolya has a distinct preference for larger weapons.

Affinity with Blessing (Supernatural, Minor): During his Apprenticeship Kolya displayed an impressive aptitude for the Blessing magics.

Free Study (Supernatural, Minor): As Kolduni are not a literate tradition, their options for advancement are limited. As such Kolya had to at times figure things out on his own with what vis he had on hand, a task he proved to be quite effective at.


Flaws

Transformation Prone (Supernatural, Major): While it provides him with inhuman strength, resilience, and slower aging, Kolya's giant heritage also makes him more susceptible to Transformation. For better or worse he moves towards his magical heritage faster then most other Kolduni.

Supernatural Nuisance (Supernatural, Major): A warrior-priest of Perun, Kolya's very presence unnerves Faeries, recognizing him as enemy to be slain at all costs.

Hedge Wizard (Social Status, Minor): While nominally a Hermetic Magus, Kolya chose to retain his Koldovali and beyond Parma practices no Hermetic Magic whatsoever. In turn he is viewed by most Magi as a second-class member at best, and afford him little respect.

Unbearable to Divine Beings (General, Minor): It is not just the Faeries that are disturbed by his presence. An unbridled Pagan, Kolya has little respect for the Dominion and it's worshipers. Those associated with Dominion  are extremely disturbed, frightened, and possibly enraged by his presence.

Obsessed (Personality, Minor): A battle-frenzied Blood-Knight, Kolya greatly enjoys fighting and it hardly matters who.

Wrathful (Personality, Minor): While usually a jovial man, when provoked Kolya is quick to answer insult for insult and blow for blow. Woe betide those who earn his scorn.


Abilities

Athletics (Feats of Strength) 3, Awareness (Alertness) 2, Brawl (Fists) 4, Carouse (Power-Drinking) 1, Charm (With Muscles) 1,
Concentration (Deprivation) 1, Leadership (In Battle) 2, Survival (Forests) 1, Faerie Lore (Pagan Gods) 1, Magic Lore (Giants) 1,
Koldovali Theory (Give) 5, Parma Magica (Mentem) 3, Great Weapon (Pole Axe) 6, Craft: Tattoos (Animal Shapes) 1,
Dead Language: Latin (Reciting the Oath) 1, Living Language: East Slavonic (Russian) 5, Organization Lore: Kolduni (Worship) 1, Organization Lore: Svyatogori Tribe (Personalities) 1, Organization Lore: Order of Hermes (Slavonic Tribunal) 1, Area Lore: Kiev (Magical Territories) 1


Arts

Give: 2
Take: 0
Blessing: 15
Curse: 1
Shape: 5
Vision: 1


Reputations

Slavic Giants (Koldun) 3: Known among the local giants as a member of the Svyatogori tribe and primarily as a Koldun of the War God. This reputation, coupled with his heritage, profession and general capabilities are quick to earn him allies among the giants, allowing him to overcome the effects of the Gift among their kind.

Order of Hermes (Hedge Wizard) 3: Known primarily by magi of the Slavonic tribunal as a recent recruit to the Order and a practitioner of non-Hermetic magics. This leads many to view him as a second-class citizen and a weakling.