CHARACTER

Name: Graham Dylandy

Age: 17, 6th of Saaral

Species and Gender: Male Human

Symbol: A traditional Japanese katana with cracks and splinters coming off the blade

Occupation: First Year Beacon Student

Appearance: Graham Dylandy stands tall at 5'11. He has a simple complexion, with pale, tanned skin, grey irises and short, messy chestnut brown hair, several locks of which fall across his face. Graham has the facial shape of a slightly flattened oval, not enough to warrant it being a circle. He cuts a fine line between being built and being skinny, having enough of both to confuse people over arguing which description fits him better. Graham is left-handed instead of the usual right.

For everyday clothing, Graham chooses to show his status, opting for a sleeveless electric crimson tailcoat with bright silver linings, which travel the length of the topcoat in ornate patterns. The tailcoat reaches the top of his thighs. An armband with delicate patterns adorns his right forearm. Under the tailcoat, he wears a white and auburn tank top with black and gold trimmings. He also wears, compared to the rest of his outfit, plain white denim shorts with no special features to them, apart from pockets. His footwear of choice is, strangely enough, sandals. However, these are more tight-fitting than usual sandals, allowing Graham to run. His symbol is nowhere to be found anywhere on his clothing, the only visible place being a tiny stamp on his blade.

In combat, he adds on three extra components: a thin metal belt with a movable metal arm and clamp for his weapon; over his tailcoat, a small ammo belt that encircles Graham's right shoulder and armpit, holding dust canisters, and a mechanical combat mask that covers and protects his mouth and nose when in combat. It splits in half and loosely covers his ears when not in use. However, Graham finds the mask a bit too "edgy" and does not wear it in combat with other humans, unless there is a specific reason to (Desert environments and the like).

Spoiler: ShowHide

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Without the red circles, link because image is too big to simply fit on page

History: Born in a rich family in Vale, Graham Dylandy was the newest in a line of Hunters who could trace their ancestry all the way back to the Greyed War, where his ancestor fought without the usage of Dust, opting instead to carry a simple tachi into battle. His skill wielding the blade made up for his not using any Dust, and he did not participate in major fights, instead striking the back lines of the enemy and fading away before major conflicts erupted. It was the Dylandy family's decree that at least one descendant should carry on the mantle of being a Hunter, and as Graham was an only child, he was raised with the mindset of being a Hunter capable of impressing his father, who was also a Hunter before him, and passing on their age-old traditions to the next generation.

Every Hunter who had ever come from the Dylandy family had wielded the family heirloom, the same tachi that was used in the Greyed War by their ancestor, passed down with its techniques, kept in near pristine conditions. The techniques were, unlike others, not lost to time and stayed the same, apart from improvements added on by each Hunter. The tachi was the family's most precious possession and was what defined their style. Along with the blade, each generation passed down their gradually expanding knowledge of fighting, a form of martial art based on a iaijutsu/iaido hybrid. Graham was taught this style of combat by his father, who was brought up in the old styles and methods of the Hunters before him, which included his father's father (Graham's grandfather) and his grandfather. At the age of 10, Graham began his iaido training, practicing the movements of the tachi blade, and at night, he would study to catch up on his education. Due to his implanted mindset, however, Graham showed little interest toward that direction.

It would be 3 years before his father deemed him ready to move on to actual sparring, practicing the first instance of
iaijutsu with a blunt steel blade, unlike the wooden practice blade Graham had used during his iaido training. This took some time to get used to, as the transition from a wooden to steel blade was, well, strange. In order to allow Graham to spar more freely, his father unlocked his aura before the transition. However, 3 years of just practicing movements does dull the senses of combat, and to counteract this Graham's father brought him to an arms convention hosted by an Atlas company. There, Graham was treated to a spectacle of fighting with weapons beyond his comprehension, all bolstered with technology at another level that even two years of constant training couldn't hold a candle to. His young mind, exposed to high-tech mechanics for the first time (Apart from scrolls, his family didn't keep with the times) swarmed with ideas as to how the techniques he was learning could be aided with such technology.

Back at home, Graham spent a considerable amount of time researching different companies that offered mechanical upgrades, including prosthetics, Dust systems and launching chambers. He also brainstormed concepts that could possibly improve his combat capabilities further beyond his limits. One example was his cutting speed, where his line of thought went to Kinetic Dust. It would definitely improve the velocity of the cut, while another was to completely reforge the tachi with more modern concepts and designs. This ultimately did not proceed because Graham had zero experience with forging his own weapon. He also stayed clear from completely replacing his arm with a prosthetic, though it would be much more powerful. Being a cyborg didn't align with his interests, though he did purchase a mechanical combat mask that covered his mouth and nose when activated.

He went to his father/mentor with the information he'd gleaned and memorised, expecting to be given praise for his hard work and the green light to start modifications. What he didn't expect was harsh rebuking and what would almost result in physical punishment if not for his mother. It turned out his father didn't believe in the advantages of technology, believing that mixing it with their traditions would ruin the meaning, as well as trusting in their skills alone to carry them through any difficulty. "If it isn't broken don't fix it", basically. On the other side of the spectrum, Graham believed that combining technology with sword techniques could push the boundaries of how far he could improve, redefining his limits with no technical aid. This clearly went against the creed of the family, and his father forbid Graham from further pursuing the topic.

The young Graham was nothing if not determined at this point to prove his father wrong once and for all. He continued his training under his father with the pretense of seeing sense in what his father said, with his aim truly being to learn all he could from his father before taking his own path. At 15, with his father deeming him worthy of wielding the family tachi, he presented Graham with the precious sword, the elaborate patterns and simple yet effective blade being the chosen weapon for every Hunter under their roof. However, Graham threw that concept out the window, secretly approaching an Atlesian weapons modification store to request upgrades to the sword, providing ideas and concepts as to what he wanted done to the blade. The end result was Reformation, complete with a Dust ejection system and modernised design. Alongside the tachi, Graham requested a completely new weapon, Trinity, based off a tanto blade and completely mechanised. To prove his father wrong, Graham enrolled in Beacon Academy, under the guise that he was still using the unmodified sword, relying on his training to tide him through, aiming one day to cross blades with his father and open his eyes to the wide world of opportunities that awaited.

Personality: Graham is your wealthy, old descendant of a traditional family with a twist. He is a vivid believer that technology is the next step to improving the art of combat, even going so far as to modify the old family heirloom, which is considered to be mutilating the sword, at least in his family traditions. Apart from his ideals, which he will fight to defend, he's your average rebellious teenager. Rich and yet not spoiled, he doesn't flaunt his wealth to others, only using money for essentials or enhancements to the tachi blade and sheath (basically, splurging on technology). Graham is practiced at controlling his emotions, capable of showing a good poker face. Otherwise, outside of classes, which he does not do well in (he can't really be bothered to learn stuff that doesn't relate to fighting), and fights, he's pretty easygoing, able to keep his own in a conversation-well, most of the time. In a combat situation, he's confident from the training he's been through, which could be his downfall--overconfidence. It must be noted that Graham does not fight for honor/glory, nor does he fight for the sake of fighting-he will avoid combat if unnecessary.

Graham has a few hobbies, including playing with practice butterfly knives, pen tapping, and magazine-reading, the latter only because he is constantly searching for ways to prove his father wrong, that technology does indeed push the boundaries of combat, and is the way forward if he wishes to improve. He has no skill with actually assembling technology, and relies on outside sources to supply him with the kit he needs. He highly enjoys rock and metal music, and might burst into song if he thinks no-one's looking. If faced with a problem, he has no qualms with spending money to solve it, aka "money isn't a problem". He can be determined if he wants to, even headstrong when challenged. If someone questions his ideals, like his father did, he takes it personally and will not back down until the other person concedes his point.

Aura and Semblance: Aura Color- Electric Crimson / #FF003F

Semblance: Taunt Targeting- Graham looks at a visible living object--human or Grimm--for 2 seconds. The target then gains a deep red glow around it's outline, only visible to Graham, while Graham also gains the same glow, only visible to the target. This makes him feel like he's done a 5-min jog. Graham gains a 1/3 damage boost to his attacks against the designated target; however, the same applies to him, as in he takes 1/3rd more damage from the target as well. The target can dispel this effect by moving out of Graham's view completely. This can be achieved simply by forcing Graham's eyes closed for a duration of time longer than a blink, or by pushing his head so he can not see his target. Or moving behind cover. Only one person can be targeted at a time, and the effects fade after 10-15 seconds. After the effects fade, forcedly or otherwise, Graham must "recharge" for 15 seconds before he can use his Semblance again.

Combat Behavior: Think of Graham as a left-handed high-tech samurai with no code of honor to uphold. Due to Graham being left-handed, any tactics his opponent may have when fighting are mentally thrown off balance. He is very flexible (his body, not his tactics) and can use this to his advantage. Graham can alter his fighting style slightly between one-handed and two-handed, one being the swifter and shorter swings and parries, while two being the heavier slashes and stabs. When using a one-handed grip, his right hand is almost always on the ridged grip of his sheath. He does not dual-wield his tachi and his tanto, only using one at a time. Graham is capable of pulling off butterfly knife tricks with his tanto mid-fight to distract his opponents, though he does run the risk of dropping the blade.

He is proficient in close-quarters dueling, whether it be against swords, axes or hammers, but struggles against brawlers or fighters who get inside his tachi's range, or stay far enough from him that the tachi blade cannot reach them, like spear/glaive users. Graham has no hand-to-hand training, so disarming him will render him basically helpless (he can barely throw a punch). He has based almost all his combat strategies and styles on single combat, and while he excels at it, he is easily overwhelmed if multiple enemies gang up on him. In team fights, he singles out an opponent and focuses them down. It is noted that he does not adapt quickly to unorthodox weaponry like chains, boomerangs, or weapons that aren't normally seen on the battlefield, nor are his movements fast.

During his training, Graham was taught iaijutsu-based techniques as well as iaido, focusing on being aware and quickly responding to attacks. The training resulted in him being able to carry out smooth, controlled movements as well as enhancing his reaction time, and he prominently displays this when fighting, returning his tachi to the sheath after every confrontation, or when he needs to reposition himself. Iaijutsu is also utilised with the tanto. One technique he has practiced often is a Kinetic Dust-enhanced sword strike, straight from the sheath. The increased momentum from the Dust charge allows Graham to carry out highly powerful swings, though this is limited in that he needs to return the tachi to the sheath, and that he only has a limited amount of dust charges (5).

WEAPONS

Name: Reformation

Primary Weapon: Reformation is a renamed and heavily modified tachi blade and sheath. Measuring 30 inches in length, the electric crimson-colored blade of steel itself is relatively unchanged, retaining the traditional signature on the base of the blade, but with an additional symbol, 改 translating to Reformed, etched crudely by Graham, as well as being repainted to his liking. The curve of the blade has been slightly straightened, though unnoticeable by an untrained eye. The two-handed grip of the blade, once adorned with gold tassels, has had the width reduced slightly and the tassels removed, replaced by a modern katana grip. It has also been modified to be left-handed. A slot for Dust canisters on the base of the handle has been added to the tachi.

Dust Functions: Graham only uses two types of Dust for Reformation, Electric and Ice dust. He keeps 3 canisters of each type with him at hand.

Electric (Lightning) Dust charges the blade with a electric current. The next strike that hits any target releases the energy into the target. Can paralyse a limb for a tiny duration of time. When this type of dust is inserted into the blade, there is audible crackling and blue sparks fly from the blade. The energy is only released on contact with a surface.
Ice (Freeze) Dust imbues the blade with a light blue color. The next strike causes any target it comes in contact with to freeze over. Can freeze an entire limb, though the ice is not thick. The ice is only activated if the blade comes in contact with a surface.

Sheath: The once ornate sheath has had many more modifications compared to the tachi. The black curved leather casing with red metal streaks and the original shape remain with the width being thickened, but the first 1/3rd section of the sheath has been removed near the mouth, replaced with a rifle-esque receiver. This device is powered by Kinetic Dust cartridges, with a 5-cartridge clip on the bottom, the modified section looking like a rifle loading chamber. There is also a ridged hand grip and a trigger complete with trigger guard, to fire off the Dust charge. When the tachi is in the sheath and the trigger compressed, the dust charge triggers, blasting the tachi out of the sheath with considerable force. Near the end of the modified section is a indented section for a clamp, replacing the traditional ropes/hangers that allow the blade to be worn horizontally. The clamp is attached to a movable mechanical arm on a belt, allowing the sheath to be extended or retracted away from the waist. The tachi and the sheath hang on the clamp on Graham's right side of his waist, horizontally.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Concept from MGRR: HF Murasama sheath

History: Once the old family heirloom, passed down to wielders in the Dylandy family that sought the mantle of a Hunter, Graham took the tachi and the sheath to a weapons modification store, where he requested for the blade to be customised to his preference, disregarding the blade's history in favor of his own ideals. The result was a mechanised version of the old blade, retaining the tachi's characteristics while simultaneously bolstering the power of the swings.

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Name: Trinity

Primary Form: Trinity is a tanto blade that can fold up similar to a butterfly knife. When not in use/sheathed, the blade of the tanto telescopes so it fits the length of the handle. The handle then splits in two, like a butterfly knife, and folds around the blade, concealing it. The full length of the tanto automatically springs out when the two sections of the handle come together and exposes the compressed blade. Trinity is 12 inches long when unfolded, only 4 inches when folded, and Graham normally hides the blade in a pocket instead of displaying it, compared to his tachi.

History: Trinity was one of Graham's steps to proving that technology does improve combat, redesigning a traditional weapon with new styles and technology. It proved to be a useful surprise weapon.