Kristoffer Noir

Kristoffer Noir was born February 18, 428 PDB in a small and secluded farming community that was led by his father Nike Noir. Though when he was born, Kris was radiated by the North Star to the point of nearly destroying his heart. In it's place was a well of light that would keep his body stable, but because he didn't know how to control it he would be sickly nearly all of the time. He didn't know his Mother well and his Father cared little if the boy lived, which built up a slow burning anger within the child. Yet his days were spent in bliss as his sisters Yazmyn and Lexinne would encourage him to spend time outside and play games with them. Because of the devil may care Yaz and sweet natured Lexi, Kris would slowly build up his stores of energy and grow stronger each day until he could actually run around like a normal child.

One fateful day, from his Father's lack of care to the community, the land was attacked by a band of raiders. Most were slain for the amusement of the Mercs while others were taken as hostages or slaves. Kris watched as Nike was cut down before him and his sword claimed by the Mercenary Leader known as Alvida. The Noir children were stolen away and taken to be locked up in the Mercenary camp. It was there that, for eight years, Kris would suffer malnourishment, beatings, torture, and disease at the hands of his cruel jailers. He shut his mind off to the world and became almost like a doll, doing as he was told without question. This made him a simple and easy servant for Alvida to use as her personal servant while Lexinne was a favorite to receive torture.

Kris had become separated from Yazmyn after she acted out, murdering a guard in cold blood. He would only ever see her on one other occasion as he and Lexi were escorted back to their internment. Seeing her bound and muzzled sent a spark in him that awoke his feelings and, as he rushed to Yaz's cage to reach out for her, the guards piled on him to keep the siblings apart...and Alvida saw everything. And this gave her a sadistic idea.

One night while attending the leader, Kris arrived to see Lexi fixed to the wall by metal trappings. He thought he'd be forced to watch more torture, but no. Alvida ordered him to torture his sister and make her scream. If he couldn't, then Alvida would outright kill Lexi. Kris refused and attempted to strike at the woman, but was quickly overpowered. She beaten him down until he blacked out from the pain and would not awake until that night.

He would hear sounds of battle. A group of Hunters had come to lead an assault on the Mercenaries and the ensuing fight had stirred Kris. He was alone in the tent and, looking up at the wall, was horrified to see that his sister was dead. Strung up, crucified eviscerated, and left bloodied nearly beyond recognition. The Leader had escaped and as Kris attempted to leave the tent, a man rushed in to seize him and toss the boy into a loaded wagon with the rest of the children...yet Yazmyn was not there! He began to panic and asked where his sister was, but fainted from the strain.

He awoke in a hovel in the city of Fumehat where the Mercenary had taken up residence. Introduced as Vincent, he knew of Kris's family name and would not let his talent go to waste. So he would use Kris for his contracts, help with mundane tasks, and in return Kris could gain the skills he needed to both find his sister and seek vengeance upon Alvida. Also living with them was a girl named Natali, who was an Afflicted cursed with pale skin and mushroom stalks spread all throughout her body. She had been a leftover detail from a contract and while Vincent would have sold her off, Kris agreed to work for him if Natali would be allowed to live with them.

The girl was overjoyed to be a part of a real family! In a place like Fumehat, few gave a second glance at an Afflicted and Kris felt a sense of happiness seeing Natali shop for ingredients and chat with the locals. The two became friends fast and when he wasn't away on contracts with Vincent, Kris spent nearly all of his time simply talking with Natali and helping her with chores.

Over the years, Kris dedicated himself seriously to Vincent's tutelage. To fight, gather intel, operate the roads to avoid dangers, and manipulate weaker willed individuals. To be ruthless and cold. At times he would become the doll, shutting out any feelings of empathy or remorse. Yet at times he found it difficult, which greatly concerned Vincent. Kris showed hesitation and he expressed sympathy...neither were traits of a Mercenary. Kris ventured the dangerous journey to The Wall where he paid homage to Matthias Gisborn and returned to Fumehat where Natali carved him a rough stone pendant with a crude heart etched inside. For a time, Kris found peace in his company and calm in the fighting.

His skill in combat grew, making Kris a vital asset to Vincent in his contract missions and shared many bounties with the man. He spent time with Natali learning to cook from her. Feelings he didn't understand and never acted on out of confusion. Even more so when he asked Vincent about this, which angered the old man further! There was no room for love in the life of a Mercenary, he had said. Love...something Kris had never known through his life. Yet he had little time to ponder the concept, as Kris's rite of passage had been delivered by Vincent personally: Hunt down Alvida, take back his Father's sword, and exact revenge for his sister's murder.

Kris did just that. Through information brokers, shadow deals, and intimidations he tracked Alvida down to The Wharf. She had laid low, rebuilding her forces by the sea while drinking most of her days away. Kris busted into her room with a blank stare and murder in his eyes. He didn't listen to her begging, even when she gave him his sword. The blade of Carmilla activated immediately on his touch, attuning to him and transforming into a whip of metal. Taking hold of it, he strangled the woman with red in his eyes and teeth gnashing angrily. It was a quiet death, but a very messy one that he would leave for the janitor.

Returning home with his new Vanta Weapon, Kris was greeted by Natali warmly as usual. Though Kris had given so much thought to his feelings regarding the girl and he had decided to act upon them. He confessed his love for her and she had returned her love with a kiss. It was the happiest Kris had felt in his entire life! His family avenged, his path lay open before him, he had found love, and he had a home. Though things never last in life.

His training by Vincent did not follow the conventional methods and it frustrated the old Merc. Kris was too old when he was taken in and thus could not properly complete certain traditions of the Mercenary such as defeating Vincent in armed combat. So the man would resort to drastic measures. He knew of Kris's love for Natali and had taken her hostage, threatening to kill her if Kris would not defeat him on that day. Though the thought was insane to the young man, seeing Vincent as Father figure to both of them and he dismissed Vincent's ramblings...until the sword slid along the girl's throat.

Kris was shocked at the sudden murder of his friend and the cold, dead look on Vincent's face. The two were locked in mortal combat, both ruthless men eerily silent as they were like dolls in a macabre dance. Yet Vincent grew fatigued from the beating Kris gave him and, drawing upon his Vel, Kris struck down Vincent with Carmilla and a blade of light held forward like a pair of scissors. Both men nodded to one another and the blades severed head from throat, cutting cleanly through the sinew.

He was a doll once again. No emotion and no feeling. He buried his friends in somber silence and carried on. He wandered the land of Ordus, hopping a train to Vantalux where he would pass out at the train station. Upon seeing the Mark of the Marauder on his wrist, a fellow Mercenary named Hilde would take him to the Vantalux Mercenary Den where he would be nursed back to health and given a place to stay for a time.

Hilde would end up becoming his main source of contracts and, when applicable, his one and only friend. A give and take relationship that would slowly open him back up from being a doll and keep him busy with work that would benefit the land of Ordus. Today he keeps the hovel in Fumehat as his home, but wanders from place to place looking for his next mark.