Character Name: Cristof Mirek
Physical Description: (Note: All numbers/descriptions given are for Cristof's usual/natural state.)
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 183 lbs.
Species: Presumably something derived from homo sapiens,
although
no one could be sure. Cristof is a shapeshifter, born to what appear to
have
been human parents (once again, though, no one could be sure). Whatever
his
species is, it has a very long lifespan; though he is nearly eighty, he
has
aged only to the point of seeming about twenty-five. (For those
interested
in particulars, this slowed aging appears to begin only after his
species
reaches the age of about fifteen, so about sixty-five years of his life
have
been spent between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five.) Aside from this
and
various abilities related to shapeshifting, Cristof is for all intents
and
purposes human.
Distinguishing Features: However many he desires at the time...
In
his usual form, Cristof maintains a short haircut, slightly longer than
a
military cut. He tends to wear dark clothing, often suits with
monochrome
ties. He shuns the informal unless it is required by the circumstances.
Eyes: Dark green
Hair: Light brown, nearly blond
Race: Apparently Russian/Eastern European
Date of Birth:
Apparent: Around 1976, give or take a few years.
Actual: 4/9/1922
Age:
Apparent: About 25
Actual: 79
Stats: 30 points
Strength: 7 Excellent (Note: This may vary greatly depending on
Cristof's
form)
Intelligence: 6 Above Average
Dexterity: 6 Above Average
Stamina: 11 Excellent
Skills:
15 points
Brawling: 10
Guns: 5
Shapeshifting: N/A
A natural ability Cristof developed around puberty, this allows him
to
emulate the forms of objects, both animate and inanimate. He can take on
other forms in several ways: by memory (as with his natural form and
familiar objects) or imagination, by prolonged contact, or by close
examination. However, he must
maintain his original mass during the transformation. Thus, he could not
turn into a bird or a pop can or a skyscraper, or anything else of the
like.
He can, though, disguise himself as smaller or larger objects by
changing
his density to a limited extent, around what would appear to be 100
pounds
in either direction. Therefore, he could impersonate teenagers of either
gender perfectly, but if he were to take on the form of a small child,
he
would have to maintain the rest of his mass elsewhere. For
example, part of his mass might become the ground or lawn the child
stands
on, but in any case, it must remain connected to him at all times. He
cannot
split into two or more pieces.
The actual transformation process is gradual but quick. In other words, Cristof can be seen transitioning to the new form, but this transition does not take long. Any form can be maintained nearly indefinitely, but maintaining forms far removed from humanoid (especially inanimate forms) is fatiguing after a time. Cristof's ability to transform his body, including its physiology, makes it difficult to damage him permanently. He is able to recover quickly from all but the most severe of wounds. In essence, he would have to be killed outright or damaged mentally (through, most likely, non-physical means) to remain incapacitated. This ability also allows him to vary his physical attributes, particularly his strength, with his transformations.
In addition, Cristof is able to roughly impersonate the voices of those whose form he takes. The longer he has listened to a person, the better this impersonation becomes, and though they will never be perfect, over time his vocal imitations will become good enough to bypass most security systems. He has also memorized and perfected several different voices of both genders for use with generic transformations (like a shift to a female teenager or a bulky wrestler).
Personally, Cristof is uncomfortable shifting forms in front of others, especially those he doesn't know well. He is generally reluctant to impersonate those he knows well at all, his history having made him sensitive to the dangers of deception.
Liabilities: Abreviated Background: Personality and Character Quirks:
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1. Cristof is limited in the number of transformations he can perform in
a
day. After each four transformations, he must rest and return for a time
to
his natural form. (In practice, this means that he can execute only four
transformations per sim, regardless of actual passage of time.)
2. Maintaining a non-humanoid or inanimate transformation takes its toll
on
Cristof, causing him to become progressively more fatigued and unable to
concentrate after
3. Cristof cannot change his mass for a transformation and is thus
limited
to transforming to objects of similar size, within what would appear to
be
100 pounds of his natural mass.
4. Cristof cannot split into multiple entities.
5. If interrupted in the process of performing a transformation, Cristof
may
become temporarily debilitated and may return immediately to his natural
form. The severity of the debilitation may range from a simple lack of
mental concentration or coordination over the next few minutes to
becoming
completely comatose, depending on the distraction (i.e. a gunshot would
do
a
lot more damage than a very loud noise). These conditions are, however,
always temporary. (Note: There is no effect if Cristof is distracted or
hurt
once he reaches his altered form. Rather, he reacts just as he would in
his
normal form.)
6. When Cristof sleeps, he must return to his natural form. In addition,
when he is very tired, it may become difficult for him to maintain
coordination and concentration while in an altered form. To continue to
be
a
productive member of the group, it may be necessary for him to return
for
a
time to his normal form.
7. Cristof often feels uncomfortable transforming in front of others,
and
this could provide a small yet critical distraction in times of crisis.
8. The process of transforming takes between one minute and five or ten
minutes, depending on how radical the change is. During this time,
Cristof
is unable to communicate with others or respond to most stimuli (short
of
distractions capable of causing the aformentioned negative effects).
Therefore, his group members must be very careful in how they "wake
him,"
should they need to.
Not much is known about Cristof's history, perhaps because he has
gone
to
great lengths to keep it hidden, or perhaps because precise records from
the
Soviet Union of that era are hard to obtain. It is known that he served
in
World War II on the side of the Russians and was highly decorated for
such
a
young officer. It is also known that he has lived out most of his life
in
various European countries, observing local customs and lifestyles and
picking up bits and pieces of the languages. His employment record is
hard
to trace, aside from his aformentioned military history. It is known
that
he
continued his education after the war, gaining a degree, but where and
in
what are uncertain.
Little more is known about his heritage and early history. He was
raised
outside St. Petersburg, born to Russian parents. He was educated in a
private, Christian school in the city, until the outbreak of the war.
His parents, it would seem, were kulaks, a class of farmers persecuted by
Stalin. Why they were never apprehended is not clear. Some sources
contend
that the Mirek family had important connections to the Stalinist regime,
which would explain the family's ability to afford an education, as well
as
Cristof's success in the military. In any case, most stories about his
childhood are just that: fifty-year old rumors, known to few, and
understood
by fewer.
Cristof has an air of sincerity about him, though whether this has
been
cultivated over the years or is simply a natural quality cannot be
known.
He
is not unkind but is cold and closed off, prefering solitude and
reflection.
His age has given him what he feels to be a particular insight into the
world, but he is not readily willing to share this insight. He has a
strong
sense of morality, but, having the experience he has, he accepts a
Macchiavellian worldview. Still, his ethics are somewhat conflicted. He
fluctuates between utilitarianism and remorse over his actions towards
individuals, and this gives him a certain unpredictability in dealing
with
others. He might lash out in cruelty or stop short, unwilling to cause
any
more suffering.
It is not clear whether or not he is entirely mentally stable. His
peculiar ability gives him an insight into deception that could be
dangerous. How long could he live a life of deception before he starts
to
believe it? Or, more importantly, how long has he? Perhaps this
contributes
to his reluctance to discuss his past.
But Cristof does crave friendship and companionship. He desires a
reliable lifestyle and a stability in his relationships he doesn't feel.
he'll ever be capable of.