Querion
Dull is the edge that draws the blood, jaded is the soul that wields the blade Created by Wolfprint
Information
Name: Querion
Faction: Maximal
Function: Warrior
Sex: Male
Age: 411 stellar cycles
Beast Mode: Arctic Wolf
Type: Beast Warrior
Size: Medium (6 feet)
Statistics
Strength – 7
Speed – 7
Skill – 9
Stamina – 9
Discipline – 8
Aim – 7
Firepower – 5
Intelligence – 7
Luck – 4
Weapons/Equipment
Cybernetic Visor
This is used for several purposes, like displaying information, accessing databases or scanning in the infrared spectrum.
Sakabatou (Reversed-Edged Sword) – “Requiem”
Forged from the shattered remnants of Querion’s former sabre. The blade is a dark shade of grey, with the supposedly-sharp side of the sword blunt and dull, while the false edge is razor-sharp. Even the tip is blunted. The hilt is swathed in white cloth, contrasting with the katana’s overall dark colour, while the pommel and the quillon of the katana is gold. Sheathed in a metal scabbard painted black. Hung around Querion’s waist, it is stored in a sub-space pocket whenever he transforms into Beast mode. No longer possesses any destructive sonic capabilities; that ability was lost the moment the sword was destroyed.
Kodachi – “Grievance”
A short sword especially useful for defence. It is of medium length, shorter than a katana, but longer than a wakizashi, forged from the lighter duranium, as opposed to the heavier katellan steel that the sakabatou was created from. It has a shorter range and less attack power than a regular-sized sword, but Grievance is virtually a bladed shield when used correctly. With the right technique, it can deflect almost any blow, forming a near-impenetrable defense. Unlike Requiem’s reversed edge, Grievance is totally blunt, since it is mainly used for defence. Sheathed in a metal scabbard painted black. Hung around Querion’s waist, it is stored in a sub-space pocket whenever he transforms into Beast mode.
Both swords can float up to a radius of 5 feet around the swordsman, and can return to him at will. Anytime he transforms into Beast mode or wills it, the swords will be stored in a sub-space pocket for easy access. However, Querion keeps his weapons close to him, both swords attached to his waist most of the time.
Skills/Abilities
“Shadow’s Edge” Sword Style
One of the deadliest and most renowned styles back on the planet Taldare, the “Shadow’s Edge” style emphasizes precision and dexterity. Created with the intention of defeating the enemy quickly, this style was perfected with the dogma “Aku. Sozu. Zan”, or “Slay Evil Instantly”, in mind. Comprised of powerful and fast sword strokes, each targeted at a specific, potentially fatal point of opponent’s body. Taught to Querion back on Taldare by his mentor, Tarael, when the Maximal was but a young rookie. This style is only used with Requiem. Listed are a couple of techniques that form the backbone of the “Shadow’s Edge” style:
”Shadow’s Leap”
This sword technique is utilized many times by Querion as a powerful offensive attack. The swordsman first crouches very close to the ground, feeling the floor with his fingers for support. He then sprints towards his opponent, leaping high into the air, before holding the sword in both hands and thrusting downward, using the force of gravity to his advantage. Aimed specifically at an opponent’s head, it renders anyone who receives it unconscious.
”Serpent’s Strike”
Querion turns his sword until the blade faces up, and then slashes skywards, aiming right at the opponent’s throat. While primarily an offensive move, it can also be used defensively, by throwing up a cloud of dust when dragged along the ground. This technique is usually used immediately after “Shadow’s Leap”, enabling the wolf-bot to make a swift consecutive attack to catch his opponent off-guard.
”Battou Jutsu”
Also known as the “Sheathed-Sword Technique”. As its name suggests, this move involves Querion sheathing his katana into its scabbard, and then standing ready. The moment the opponent enters striking distance, the wolf-bot draws his blade quickly, extending his hand until his sword is in full stretch, poised to strike at the opponent’s head. This technique utilizes the added momentum of the sword-drawing movement to amplify the speed and ferocity of the attack. This is a purely offensive move, and cannot be used for defense, for it is a one-strike technique; the user is momentarily open to all forms of attack the moment he misses. However, the instant-kill capability of this move is well worth the risk.
“Fettered Circle”
A single clash of swords is all it takes for Querion to utilize this move. By pinning the opponent’s sword down with his own, the wolf-bot can limit the latter’s movement. Querion then turns a round towards his left, releasing the lockdown he has on the enemy’s blade as he is three-quarters through, then slashes in a diagonal downward movement at the neck. This move is seldom used by the swordsman, however, as the transition from pin to attack poses a certain degree of threat that a quick opponent can exploit.
“Kusanagi” Sword Style
When Querion battled the abomination that had possessed his friend Relic, his sabre was broken into two parts. With just half a blade however, he was able to withstand the attacks of the wayward assassin. In the midst of the battle, the wolf-bot was able to create a new style, which he christened “Kusanagi”, or “The Sword that Binds”. Because of the kodachi’s short length, Querion is unable to attack directly with it, but this style presents him with nigh-invulnerable defence, as well as a plethora of grapples and pins to hold the opponent’s weapon at bay, so that the swordsman can move close to land a punch. The sword, in this instance, is nothing more than a shield; the punches and kicks that follow are the true weapons.
Personality:
Originally a brooding loner, Querion has learnt to open up as his friendship with Relic developed. No longer wracked with pain, the wolf-bot now seeks to forge new friendships while dealing with a vast emotional baggage.
The wolf-bot usually acts gruff, trying to play up a “tough-guy” image, prudent enough to keep silent when his opinion is not needed. He listens more than he speaks, and has a sensitive side behind all that brusque-ness. While not talented in jokes, he is not unlearned in sarcasm and dry humour. He cares a great deal for his friends, but would pretty much like to solve his own problems himself. He’d rather keep any predicament to himself, bearing the burden of the torment, than to see his friends suffer. Querion is an atheist; he does not believe in Primus, and scoffs at that name, much to some of his teammate’s dismay. His social skills, especially with femmes, are dismally below average. He fairs badly at flattery, and he shies away whenever confronted by one of the opposite gender. He dreads even performing in public. Often self-effacing, battles are the only times when he seems to be in the forefront.
The wolf-bot’s attitude towards combat can probably be inferred from the nature of his swords – to protect, not to kill. Fed-up with the endless bloodshed, Querion has vowed never to kill again, blunting the edges of his weapons to prove his point. Despite his despondence with killing, he still takes great pride in his swords, polishing them often to maintain their luster. The swords are probably the only works of art he will ever appreciate. Honour is an abstract ideal that the wolf-bot still harbours; playing dirty is despicable in his book.
Querion is a subject of a rare berserking affliction, often slipping into an uncontrolled bestial rage whenever engaged in combat. His mind would cloud over, blunting judgment and blurring the distinction between friend and foe. Despite the increased strength, constitution and prowess it grants him in combat, the wolf-bot fears his berserker rage. Unlike some berserkers, who embrace their frenzy with open arms, Querion shuns it. Fortunately for him, through intense self-discipline, he is finally able to suppress his rage; he has subdued the beast within. Nothing could seem better to him, than keeping a clear head in combat. However, he theorises that, if pushed too far, his mind might snap, and he would once again revert to a clawing, frothing berserker.
While no more than a bot with peak-human capabilities, Querion will push himself, often beyond the limit, to protect his friends and loved ones. No hardship is too great, as long as his friends are safe.
Appearance
In beast mode, Querion is a medium-sized arctic wolf, with a thick shaggy coat of silver-white fur. The eyes are a weary brown, while his fur fails to hide the many scars on his flanks. His teeth are fanged and sharp, some of them stained with the dull red of dried blood. His fur is matted and covered with patches of mud in places, giving him a primal, feral look. While his pelt may seem jarring and out-of-place in the city, it has often been compared to a fleeting white ghost in the darkness.
In robot mode, the wolf-bot stands tall and proud, a regal bearing behind that wild appearance. Thick silver-white fur drapes over his broad shoulders, giving him a barbaric, shamanistic look. The wolf’s head hangs from his left shoulder, while the rest of the fur covers his back, his forearms and his legs, much like an unshorn fur coat. His body is lean and well-muscled, the metallic portions prominently ebony black, that contrasts the white of his pelt. His face is plain but not unkind to look at, lined with weary years of combat. His eyes are a deep neon green, that harden into crimson stones whenever angry. His hair is a silver-white, with long bangs that hide part of his face. Long, thick sideburns line the sides of his face, while his back is covered by a long white mane, tied up in a single, nondescript tail. The smell of the forest hangs around him, a pleasant rough-tumbling scent of adventure, mixed with the freshness of the morning dew.
History
The bot that would become the Maximal warrior known as Querion led a simple, uneventful life on Cybertron, often dreaming of noble campaigns, his head filled with the lofty ideals that the Autobots often preached. He would train with the other bots in his neighbourhood, schooling himself in the brash art of street fighting. He joined the Maximal Military when he had reached a suitable age, eager to prove himself in combat.
The wolf-bot was posted to ASQ Squadron One on the planet Taldare, a small squad that served as guards for the Maximal research center situated there, their job: to keep any Maximal technological secrets from enemy hands. The bot was wild and aggressive, and his amazing endurance and fighting capabilities earned the praise of a Taldar warrior, Tarael, who took him in as a student. There he was taught the complexities and strategies of Taldar swordplay, which he employs even till today. His mentor gifted him the name - "Querion" - that meant "roaming sword" in ancient Taldar.
Eid. A Taldar festival, celebrating the end of winter, and the dawn of spring. Drunk and muddled after a heavy bout of festivities, Querion stumbled back to his bunk. In the moonlit streets he encountered a group of Predacon saboteurs, who had sought to capture the secrets of a Maximal project known as the Proton Force. The wolf-bot flew into a rage, slaying them easily. Perhaps an over-eagerness to prove himself, or the delirious rage was to be blamed, but as he spotted a shadow in the alleys, he threw himself on it, finding grim satisfaction as his blade slid through an obviously unarmoured body.
After all had fallen, Querion snapped out of his rage to find the mutilated body of a young Taldar girl. Overcome with fear and guilt, the warrior scampered off. The bodies were found the next day, the Maximals congratulated of their victory over the Predacons, and the girl was mourned. Everyone believed that the girl’s death was the work of the Predacons, who were not well known for their mercy. The Maximal warrior transferred out to another team shortly after that. He would spend long hours in the barracks pub, downing drink after drink. His guilt, and drink-muddled circuits imposed blocks in his head, and soon he forgot about the incident. He carried on to receive accolades for his valour in battle, all while curbing his berserker fury. This led to a reaction that sought to unleash the feral madness again, hence the discomfort to force him into combat.
Querion quit the Military after his discomfort plagued him no end, realizing that drink did little to numb the pain. He joined a science expedition crew, hoping that perhaps they could stop his suffering. Halfway through their journey, however, they were attacked by Predacon pirates, and the exploration cruiser was destroyed. The crewmembers were thrown in separate directions in their stasis pods. Querion crash-landed on a harsh arctic planet, where he obtained his beast mode. He spent most of his time in that form, becoming more wolf than bot. There was no discomfort in his beast mode, and he was content.
In a rare moment of lucid logical thinking, he sought to repair his stasis pod, possibly improvising an escape shuttle of sorts. His meddling with the onboard Transwarp drive backfired, though, and Querion was hurtled through space and time. At that moment, a Maximal spacecraft, lead by Centurian Primal, had just engaged a Transwarp portal. By a strange twist of fate, the wolf-bot landed on the ship, where he befriended the assassin known as Relic. Many adventures ensued, most memorable would be Relic’s possession by an alien race known as Slivers.
Querion currently remains with the Maximal Resistance founded on Endport, his sense of honour preventing him from just picking up his stuff and leaving.
Graphics Provided by Riboflavin
