A new Vagabond.

[Thorsten Blackwell]

Thorsten Kikyo “Vagabond” Blackwell
Affiliation: Whoever employs.
Age: Between 27 and 35

---

Thorsten Kikyo Blackwell was born in the very heart of Rheinland, specifically in the city of New Berlin, a bustling industrial hub. Blackwell’s life was marked by a profound duality from the very beginning, stemming from his parents’ deep affiliations with opposing factions within the Sirius sector. His mother, Helga Blackwell, served as a decorated officer in the Marinenachrichtendienst, displaying unwavering loyalty to her homeland and its principles. In contrast, his father, Yokoi Sadakuno, held a prominent position within the technological giant Kishiro Technologies, contributing to Sirius’s future through innovation and corporate ambition.

Thorsten’s upbringing was characterised by numerous stark contrasts between his parents’ worlds. The family home often reverberated with passionate debates, a reflection of the differing ideologies between Helga and Hiroshi. Despite these differences, Helga’s and Hiroshi’s shared love for their son was a constant in his life, and they worked tirelessly to provide him with a balanced upbringing. From his mother, he inherited a deep sense of discipline, combat skills, and a profound respect for traditional values. From his father, he gained a remarkable aptitude for technology, innovation, and the ability to navigate the complex web of corporate politics.

As Thorsten reached adulthood, he found himself at a crossroads, torn between the well-trodden paths of his parents. He yearned for adventure, independence, and the freedom to carve out his own destiny. The perpetual tension between his mother’s unwavering loyalty to Rheinland and his father’s corporate responsibilities led to a rebellious streak in him. Determined to chart his own course in life, he adopted the callsign “Vagabond”.

Leaving the comfort of his family luxury behind, Kikyo embarked on a life as a freelance mercenary, accepting contracts from various factions and individuals scattered across the Sirius sector. Over time, Thorsten honed his piloting skills, becoming proficient in both combat and diplomacy, thanks to the diverse array of missions he undertook alongside his parents’ teachings. With no fixed allegiance and no true place to call home, he became a nomad of the stars, traversing from one system to another, one house to another.

Thorsten is perpetually torn between loyalty to his parents and the burning desire for independence. He has emerged as a skilled mediator, frequently finding himself thrust into the heart of disputes, utilising his rather particular background to broker deals and navigate the treacherous waters of conflicts. Kikyo’s life as a mercenary has gifted him with a broad spectrum of experiences and a distinctive perspective on Sirius, rendering him an asset to any faction or employer willing to secure his services. Though he may lack a true home, Blackwell has discovered his place amidst the stars, where every new contract presents a fresh opportunity for adventure, and each jump gate offers the promise of a new journey.

---

Personality Traits:

• Unconstrained Voyager: Thorsten’s fiercely independent nature is a defining trait. He thrives on the freedom of being a freelance mercenary, allowing him to operate without the constraints of formal affiliations. He values self-sufficiency and is unafraid to chart his own course, even in the face of adversity. This independence makes him a reliable and adaptable asset in this very unpredictable world.
  
• Master of Composure: Kikyo has a deep sense of respect and diplomacy, which he, himself, attributes to his upbringing in a household divided by differing ideologies. He has a knack for maintaining composure in tense situations and finding common ground with individuals from various groups. This respectful demeanor allows him to build rapport with a wide range of contacts and navigate the complex web of relations with finesse.
  
• Prudent Wallflower: Despite his easy-going nature, Thorsten often comes across as reserved upon first meeting. He tends to observe and assess situations before fully engaging, preferring to gauge the personalities and intentions of those around him. This initial reserve is a reflection of his cautious nature, ensuring that he enters new relationships and ventures with a measured approach, though it quickly gives way to his more open and friendly personality once he feels comfortable in a given setting.
  
• Reticence: Kikyo’s initial reserve can sometimes be mistaken for aloofness or disinterest, making it challenging for others to connect with him on a personal level. He may struggle to express his feelings or thoughts openly. Due to this reserved nature, Thorsten may have difficulty expressing vulnerability or seeking emotional support from others.
  

---

Skills and Abilities:

• Astrocartography: Thorsten has a deep passion for celestial navigation and astrocartography. He possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of star systems, jump gates, and wormholes within the Sirius sector. His expertise in plotting complex routes through the cosmos, avoiding hazards, and finding hidden shortcuts is invaluable when charting new territories or undertaking journeys through uncharted space. Thorsten’s stellar navigation skills not only aid in his exploration but also contribute to the success of missions requiring precise navigation through challenging cosmic terrain.
  
• Chameleon Combat: Kikyo is an experienced combatant who excels in adapting to the tactics and fighting styles of his opponents. Instead of relying on brute force or specialized combat techniques, he relies on his ability to quickly assess his adversary’s strengths and weaknesses. This adaptability allows him to devise unconventional strategies on the fly, often mirroring his opponent’s style to gain the upper hand. His unpredictable approach makes him a challenging adversary, as he can change his tactics mid-battle to exploit vulnerabilities and turn the tide in his favor.
  
• Diplomacy Savvy: Blackwell demonstrates a commendable proficiency in diplomacy, honed through years of experience in negotiations and conflict resolution. His respectful and approachable demeanor enables him to navigate the complexities of inter-faction relations with competence. His diplomatic proficiency allows him to facilitate trade agreements, mediate disputes, and foster cooperation effectively. While he may not be the most excellent maestro of diplomacy, his skillful handling of such situations consistently yields favorable outcomes, making him a reliable and valuable asset in diplomatic endeavors.
  

---

Equipment:

• Custom Built: A specialized combat suit tailored for Blackwell’s needs. Provides protection, mobility, and life support in hostile environments.
  
• Sentimental Trove: An assortment of keepsakes and trinkets, echoing his past adventures as he moves ever onwards.
  
• The Reliable: Vagabond's most trusted companion throughout every single adventure - his personal handgun, the “Starshard”. A sleek pistol with an even sleeker obsidian finish paired with an ivory custom grip and a simple reflex scope. occupies the holster of his hip.
  

---

Goals and Ambitions:

• Unshackled Mercenary: Kikyo strives to maintain his status as an independent mercenary. He has little interest in joining a group of people or flying under the banner of any one organisation.
  
• Vagabond's Log: Thorsten aims to keep a diary, upholding records of his adventures, stray thoughts and relationships.
  
• Timeless Pals: Blackwell has a goal to seek out trustworthy, dependable, and above all, enjoyable companions along the way of his travels, contracts, and adventures.
  

  ---

Notable Relationships:

• Parents: Helga Blackwell, Yokoi Sadakuno.
  
• Friend: Camille - Laplace Vector
  
• Friend: Cherry - Cherry Blossom
  

---

Additional Information: Thorsten's accent can be perceived as mildly odd. It seems to straddle the line between Kusarian and Rheinlandish without fully belonging to either. Kikyo interjects his sentences with words of Kusarian or Rheinland origin. It happens as naturally as he breathes and as such, most of the time, he is blissfully unaware until it gets pointed out.