Konstantin
"I have fought legendary warriors, slain indomitable monsters, conquered ruthless armies countless times and never suffered more than a few cuts and bruises.
Perhaps it is some cruel, divine irony that my downfall comes not at the hand of some great enemy, but from the very thing that gives me my strength.
There is humor in that, I think."
Once a young and promising Guardian, Konstantin Clay is now a man facing his inevitable end. The proud Guardian of the Stone of Power, his body is unable to handle the burden of its energies. He is crumbling away even as he struggles against the dying of the light.
Appearance
The first thing one would likely notice about Konstantin is the hole in his face and the unnatural manner in which the skin around said hole crumbles like brittle porcelain. Behind the shattered gap lies a twisting maelstrom of raw power, the telltale sign of his runestone's wear in its advanced stages.
Beyond that horrible feature, Konstantin is an otherwise well kept man. While the stress of the Stone of Power has aged him somewhat, his body is otherwise in peak condition. His build understates the overwhelming strength he possesses.
Konstantin prefers to dress fairly formally and likes to decorate himself with jewelry. He has taken a liking to filling in the cracks in his skin with molten gold.
Beyond that horrible feature, Konstantin is an otherwise well kept man. While the stress of the Stone of Power has aged him somewhat, his body is otherwise in peak condition. His build understates the overwhelming strength he possesses.
Konstantin prefers to dress fairly formally and likes to decorate himself with jewelry. He has taken a liking to filling in the cracks in his skin with molten gold.
Skills and Abilities
Like all Guardians, Konstantin is able to use the Runestone in his possession to great effect.
Konstantin, however, prefers not to use his stone where possible. To that end he is a diligent student of several forms of martial arts and a lover of pugilism.
Beyond fighting and feats of athleticism, he is a studious fellow, enjoying psychology and philosophy. He sometimes dabbles in painting, poetry, and counseling. He likes to cook but is notoriously not very good at it.
Konstantin, however, prefers not to use his stone where possible. To that end he is a diligent student of several forms of martial arts and a lover of pugilism.
Beyond fighting and feats of athleticism, he is a studious fellow, enjoying psychology and philosophy. He sometimes dabbles in painting, poetry, and counseling. He likes to cook but is notoriously not very good at it.
The Runestone of Power
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely. This, too, is law."
Of the conceptual Runestones it would not be unreasonable to assume that the Stone of Power is the most simple among them. Muscle and might are qualities native to any strongman or warrior. A Runestone that exemplifies and embodies physical strength could not possibly compare to the deep mysticism of Faith or Dreams, the intimate understanding of Wisdom or Passion, nor the dazzling displays of Light and the other elements. Right?
The enlightened know that it is true: Power is the simplest form the Runestones took, and they understand that it is for this reason it may be the most awe-inspiring of all. Yes, the Stone of Power does grant the bearer the pinnacle of physical strength, but its true nature lies in its influence over one of the universe's most fundamental building blocks: kinetic energy.
The boons granted by the Stone of Power are many, but they come at a high price. The toll the stone takes on the bearer's body are great. The more power one takes from the stone, the more the stone takes from its Guardian. Invariably, the life of every Guardian of the Stone of Power has ended in cataclysm. An unworthy vessel will only perish sooner.
• Supernatural Might
The Stone of Power passively, astronomically boosts the user's physical might. This increase extends well beyond the limits of biology and physics. While this is primarily a passive ability, the bearer can exert the power to push themselves into accomplishing some fairly ludicrous feats.
• Supernatural Durability
In the same vein as the natural increase in strength, the Guardian of Power is granted a level of resistance to harm that goes well beyond natural limits.
• Kinetic Absorption
The majority of harsh kinetic force that strikes the bearer of the Power Stone is passively and harmlessly absorbed into the bearer's body. The bearer can then store this energy to be released later in a few ways. This ability is more effective against weightier blows, but it does have its limits. It also does very little to stop low kinetic forces from potentially harming the bearer. That said, combined with the supernatural durability granted by the Stone, the Guardian of Power is often a glutton for punishment.
• Kinetikinesis
The true and active power granted by this Runestone. By actively exerting themselves or by releasing stored kinetic energy, the user can create powerful blasts of sheer force both in melee and at a distance. Depending on the amount of energy generated, this ability lets off varying degrees of heat and light, resembling localized explosions.
• Conservation of Momentum
Also requiring active exertion, this ability allows the bearer to maintain any physical momentum they build up regardless of resistance. To put it frankly, they become an unstoppable force. Sustained usage takes a massive toll on the user.
Of the conceptual Runestones it would not be unreasonable to assume that the Stone of Power is the most simple among them. Muscle and might are qualities native to any strongman or warrior. A Runestone that exemplifies and embodies physical strength could not possibly compare to the deep mysticism of Faith or Dreams, the intimate understanding of Wisdom or Passion, nor the dazzling displays of Light and the other elements. Right?
The enlightened know that it is true: Power is the simplest form the Runestones took, and they understand that it is for this reason it may be the most awe-inspiring of all. Yes, the Stone of Power does grant the bearer the pinnacle of physical strength, but its true nature lies in its influence over one of the universe's most fundamental building blocks: kinetic energy.
The boons granted by the Stone of Power are many, but they come at a high price. The toll the stone takes on the bearer's body are great. The more power one takes from the stone, the more the stone takes from its Guardian. Invariably, the life of every Guardian of the Stone of Power has ended in cataclysm. An unworthy vessel will only perish sooner.
• Supernatural Might
The Stone of Power passively, astronomically boosts the user's physical might. This increase extends well beyond the limits of biology and physics. While this is primarily a passive ability, the bearer can exert the power to push themselves into accomplishing some fairly ludicrous feats.
• Supernatural Durability
In the same vein as the natural increase in strength, the Guardian of Power is granted a level of resistance to harm that goes well beyond natural limits.
• Kinetic Absorption
The majority of harsh kinetic force that strikes the bearer of the Power Stone is passively and harmlessly absorbed into the bearer's body. The bearer can then store this energy to be released later in a few ways. This ability is more effective against weightier blows, but it does have its limits. It also does very little to stop low kinetic forces from potentially harming the bearer. That said, combined with the supernatural durability granted by the Stone, the Guardian of Power is often a glutton for punishment.
• Kinetikinesis
The true and active power granted by this Runestone. By actively exerting themselves or by releasing stored kinetic energy, the user can create powerful blasts of sheer force both in melee and at a distance. Depending on the amount of energy generated, this ability lets off varying degrees of heat and light, resembling localized explosions.
• Conservation of Momentum
Also requiring active exertion, this ability allows the bearer to maintain any physical momentum they build up regardless of resistance. To put it frankly, they become an unstoppable force. Sustained usage takes a massive toll on the user.
Personality
" You're remarkably calm for a man with a cosmic event happening in his skull."
Konstantin is a bit of an enigma to most. To non-guardians he is best known by his matter-of-fact, almost curt nature.
Those who know him better get to see the real Konstantin: soft spoken, even tempered, and sometimes off-puttingly unshakable. While a generally serious and no-nonsense fellow, he cares very deeply for his Guardian peers. He is fiercely protective and has a strong sense of duty towards Valenntinia.
There is a quiet somberness to him that is hard to place.
Konstantin is a bit of an enigma to most. To non-guardians he is best known by his matter-of-fact, almost curt nature.
Those who know him better get to see the real Konstantin: soft spoken, even tempered, and sometimes off-puttingly unshakable. While a generally serious and no-nonsense fellow, he cares very deeply for his Guardian peers. He is fiercely protective and has a strong sense of duty towards Valenntinia.
There is a quiet somberness to him that is hard to place.
Biography & Lore
Konstantin was inducted as the replacement to his predecessor 15 years ago. In his youth he brought both honor and immense promise to the position of Guardian of Power. Few of his progenitors showed the level of discipline and natural aptitude with the Stone of Power as he did. Countless victories in battle came to him, a service record that would see entire volumes dedicated to his acts within the annals of Valentennia's archives. He was a seemingly natural fit, so much so that he fooled himself into believing that he would not face the same end as those that came before him. There would be no violent eruption of energy in the midst of battle, no cataclysmic end to his life.
Alas, it seemed he was right. At first he was simply wracked with pain after extensive bouts of using his powers. Then came the tremors. After eight years of service, the first cracks in his skin began to show. Fault lines that defied anatomy and fractured his skin and left eye like pottery began to appear. These eventually began to give way, slowly revealing the strange anomaly growing within.
Konstantin turned to his dearest companion and peer, the Guardian of Wisdom, the sage Minerva Asteri. Together they sought a way to reverse the degradation Konstantin's body was suffering, but in the end there would be no salvation to be found. What was worse, Minerva soon after went mad and ended her own life. Konstantin was devastated. In the coming years he would struggle with feelings of guilt, anger, and deep depression. He took no joy in the battles he fought through and the victories he took, the glory he once reveled in reduced to a hollow chore. It would be quite some time before the Guardian of Power could face the world with a smile again.
Since then Konstantin's condition has only worsened. The visage of some strange, whirling galaxy churns behind the large fissure in Konstantin's face. He knows and seems to have accepted that the end draws ever nearer for him, but he has already outlived the majority of those who came before him. He now carries himself with an odd serenity as he carries on in his duties. Now, however, he barely uses the effects of the Runestone he wields.
There is some argument as to why this is. Some claim it is strictly out of necessity; after all, use of the stone accelerates his condition and costs him precious time. Others insist it is because he is so woefully bored, now trying to gleam excitement and challenge through self restriction.
Alas, it seemed he was right. At first he was simply wracked with pain after extensive bouts of using his powers. Then came the tremors. After eight years of service, the first cracks in his skin began to show. Fault lines that defied anatomy and fractured his skin and left eye like pottery began to appear. These eventually began to give way, slowly revealing the strange anomaly growing within.
Konstantin turned to his dearest companion and peer, the Guardian of Wisdom, the sage Minerva Asteri. Together they sought a way to reverse the degradation Konstantin's body was suffering, but in the end there would be no salvation to be found. What was worse, Minerva soon after went mad and ended her own life. Konstantin was devastated. In the coming years he would struggle with feelings of guilt, anger, and deep depression. He took no joy in the battles he fought through and the victories he took, the glory he once reveled in reduced to a hollow chore. It would be quite some time before the Guardian of Power could face the world with a smile again.
Since then Konstantin's condition has only worsened. The visage of some strange, whirling galaxy churns behind the large fissure in Konstantin's face. He knows and seems to have accepted that the end draws ever nearer for him, but he has already outlived the majority of those who came before him. He now carries himself with an odd serenity as he carries on in his duties. Now, however, he barely uses the effects of the Runestone he wields.
There is some argument as to why this is. Some claim it is strictly out of necessity; after all, use of the stone accelerates his condition and costs him precious time. Others insist it is because he is so woefully bored, now trying to gleam excitement and challenge through self restriction.
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