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 Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 1:23 am
The Journal of Zharkov & Atli
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Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:29 pm
The Chosen  Alternate Art x: art by the talented candid silence
Name: Emil Zharkov
Nicknames: Generally goes by surname
Gender: male
Age: 42
Homeland: Okraina
Current Residence: Northport Palisade
Occupation: Dock worker / laborer / odd jobs / smuggler
Appearance:
Zharkov cuts an intimidating figure, tall and musclebound as he is. Standing several inches over six feet makes him easy to pick out of a crowd, and years spent in the military (and doing manual labor type jobs) have left him in relatively fit physical condition (aside from his leg injury), if not a bit scarred up.
He has a rough, scruffy look about him, always with stubble on his jaw, along with a short goatee and short, choppy, blackish brown hair (as well as some grey around his temples). He has a large nose, square-set jaw, and greyish-green eyes that glare from beneath large eyebrows, watching his surroundings with hawk-like suspicion, adding to his overall look of grizzled unfriendliness.
As far as clothing goes, Zharkov dresses appropriate to his status, inexpensive but practical, and usually presentable enough. Thankfully, he's managed to update his wardrobe a bit in order to not stick out as much in Sunderland. He has a fondness for long wool overcoats, and never travels without one.
Also of note is the slight limp in his left leg, a lingering result of the injury he received during the war in his homeland.
Personality:
Surly and unfriendly at a glance, Zharkov often appears to be outwardly no-nonsense. If there is one thing he understands, it's that survival requires sacrifice and hard work, and despite the many hardships he's experienced over the years, he still retains the drive to go on with his life and seek what happiness he can. Exactly what kind of 'hard work' that entails is entirely subjective, of course, as he is not afraid to travel down more crooked paths to make ends meet.
Though the long years spent fighting the war in his homeland have jaded him to some extent, they have also built up many of his current life philosophies and have left him a bit unbalanced. He hides his more violent tendencies under a veneer of silence and terse manners (though an occasional joke or 'playful' threat may surface here and there). He acknowledges the usefulness of teamwork, but will not allow himself to be stepped on. He can be very awkward at times, or inappropriately snarky, and it is not difficult to pull a negative reaction from him if he is provoked with rude or bossy words.
Beneath his stony exterior, if chipped away a bit, there is a more amiable side to be found. After getting to know him better, Zharkov can be surprisingly good-humored and even irreverent at times, joking around with those he considers good friends. He is hesitant to show this side in public, and as such does not generally get along well with strangers. He prefers physical labor over jobs in which he has to speak with people, relying on his strength rather than his lack of charm.
miscellaneous
Zharkov isn't heavily religious, but does put some stock in spirits/ghosts/superstitious stuff and vaguely acknowledges the old ways.
He won't often admit it, but loves/respects animals a lot (even though he won't hesitate to kill some of them for food). Has experience/knowledge in raising and caring for most types of livestock. Good horse skills.
Hates snobs and tends to be very cold toward noble types, will not cater to any strangers who try to boss him around (without compensation, anyway)
Has years worth of skill in fighting both armed (sword, lance, horseback, musket) and unarmed, but is currently interested in keeping a low profile rather than looking for trouble. He still takes satisfaction in a good brawl from time to time.
Speaks broken common and fluent Okrainan/Katchian/Belestranan(all three are relatively similar), and has basic skill with writing in both.
Part of a foreign smuggling ring on the side in order to squirrel away extra funds, and is (understandably) extremely secretive about his involvement. Despite this, the majority of the work he takes is still regular old manual labor, with the odd guard job on the side.
likes and dislikes
[+] smokin', drinkin', making easy money, his cat, the outdoors, animals, shooting, making inappropriate jokes
[-] Being told what to do, being told what not to do, being manipulated, storms, wet clothes, bugs, sometimes dogs, sometimes children
History:
Zharkov has his dreary beginning in a little country called Okraina, neighboring the much larger Belestrana. He was the eldest of two sons and was raised on a farm in the countryside, leading a dull (and sometimes difficult) existence of serfdom beneath the nobles his family worked beneath.
Despite their low status, his family usually managed to make the best of things. Emil was a hard worker, as well as a responsible older sibling, though they found their fair share of mischief to get into, as most youngsters will. His father taught his sons all manner of skills, how to care for their livestock, farming, how to ride and shoot. Zharkov lived for the hunting trips they sometimes took into the forest in order to fortify their larders, and was quite a good shot. It was a routine existence, and for many years he worked and lived with his family on their plot of land, through both good times and bad.
His uneventful life in the Okrainan countryside would not last forever, as trouble loomed on the horizon. Though he had no inkling of it, tension was building between Okraina and their smaller neighbor. He and his brother were conscripted to the Okrainan army when war broke out between his homeland and Katchia, another territory beneath Belestrana's rule that began to struggle for independence. He served and fought for nearly ten years in a conflict that never seemed to have a definite end. Through sheer luck, he managed to survive, but his brother was not so fortunate. His own service ended when he was grievously injured and discharged, a bad leg wound effectively ending his military career.
By the time he left the military, both Okraina and Katchia were in bad shape. With what meager savings he had, Zharkov picked up and fled to nearby Belestrana, driven away by the seemingly unending war and increasingly harsh living conditions. Once he reached Belestrana, he drifted around seeking work and taking what jobs he could find, before finally settling in Ledograd after gaining a few shady friends/associates and becoming part of a smuggling ring. Not even this was to last, as the political upheaval in Belestrana began to escalate, he allowed it to be a driving factor in his next shift.
Seeking better opportunities (and possibly a fresh start), he made the decision to leave Belestrana altogether. Alongside several of his business partners, they left the country for Sunderland, on a smuggling job under the guise of immigrants and ship workers. Zharkov decided afterwards to remain there, appreciating the stable, quiet nature of the country despite the somewhat unwelcoming attitude of its natives toward foreigners.
Family
All of Zharkov's immediate family members are deceased. Though his brother's death happened almost a decade previous, it is still a source of pain that he tries to keep buried. Family is not generally a topic he likes to discuss.
Currently
Zharkov is a newcomer to Sunderland, and has only been there for a couple of months. He works the docks at Northport, but occasionally makes trips into Palisade and still keeps in contact with his old business associates, occasionally working with them as a secondary source of income. He has recently shifted to Palisade from Northport, though he still works on the docks of the Thrithing river. He continues to work with his business associates and helps to move their 'cargo' inland.
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Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 4:34 pm
Companions A honey-and-cream furred beast with fiery eyes, he was rescued by Zharkov at a young age and has been with him since. His name is derived from a single dark-colored whisker on the right side of his face, though it is inevitably shortened to 'Whisky', a fitting nickname according to Zharkov.
He can be very mischievous if he cares to be (especially around people who don't like cats), but is very much attached to Zharkov. Though he seems to come and go, he will almost always be at his human's side if he isn't out working.~~~~~~~
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As wispy and fleeting as a plume of smoke, with colors to match. After witnessing the stumbling flight of his current human companions (Zharkov and Kozel) in the wood during Samhain, Dozor deemed it necessary to follow them back to their civilization for reasons they may never know. Under the guise of a canine, he acts almost as a pet, but like Whisky, will sometimes disappear to places unknown.
He is prone to bouts of silent staring, and it is for this watchfulness that Zharkov has given him the name 'Dozor' which means 'watch' in his mother tongue. Dozor does just this, and though he rarely acts aggressive, he always seems to know when something is coming. Unsettlingly intelligent, he takes to his 'domestication' quite well, enjoying the food and even acting playful at times.
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Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 8:07 pm
name:: Atli
sex:: male
personality::
courageous - brash - bull-headed
Simply put, Atli is a rambunctious little hellion who always wants to play or make trouble (or both). He makes the best of being confined to his chosen's room by hopping all over the furniture when left alone, and would go crazy if it weren't for Petri and Dozor keeping him company. He is a pushy creature who likes to play rough, and is quick to assert dominance over other creatures when given the chance.
Relationship with Chosen
Zharkov was immediately endeared to the little spitfire the very day he manifested, even though he didn't choose the best time to come out. Despite his rowdy mannerisms and forceful nature, Zharkov deals with his new friend with patient amusement, and does his best to keep the youngster occupied in their cramped quarters.
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Posted: Sat May 18, 2013 8:09 pm
RP Log
Waking
Teatime - (Zharkov & Kozel) Finished
On his first trip to Palisade, Zharkov manages to meet a fellow countryman and is treated to tea. They have a pleasant time, except when Whisky scares the new guy on accident. Bad kitty. Overall, a pleasant time is had and Zharkov acquires a new friend.
Unexpected Disturbances - (Zharkov & Kozel) Finished
A few days after their first (and infinitely more pleasant) meeting, Kozel ******** up by making a fool of himself in front of Zharkov's business prospects. Zharkov reacts accordingly, but later on they kiss and make up and resolve to be friends.
Into the Woods We Go- (Zharkov & Kozel, Joint Choosing) Finished
Zharkov convinces Kozel to join him on a 'business' trip to Oldcastle. During their stay, they give into an oddly striking urge to investigate the forest....
Fox Hunt - (Zharkov & Kozel) Finished
Kozel goes back to the Wardwood in order to unsuccessfully return his totem, and Zharkov tags along to make sure he stays out of trouble, but mostly makes fun of him the entire time. Adventures and new animal friends are had and made, what are these guys disney characters?
Hawking the Hawk - (Zharkov, Kozel, & Lucterius) Ongoing
Zharkov and Kozel sell the Kingshawk they found in the wood, after nursing it back to health.
Jailtime - (Zharkov & Kozel) Finished
Charged with disturbing the peace, Zharkov spends a night in jail and promptly reaches out to Kozel for help in bailing him out. Other strange things happen, what the heck is up with those dog toys anyway?
Gifts, Good and Bad - (Zharkov & Kozel) Finished
Kozel attempts to ditch his totem once and for all, but Zharkov comes to the rescue and Kozel gets a good scolding.
Kozel's Sick, Frank's a d**k - (Zharkov & Kozel) Ongoing
Zharkov attempts to cover Kozel's duties when his friend falls ill, not wanting Kozel to lose his job.
The Ugly Truth - (Zharkov, Kozel, & Ferdinand) Ongoing
While visiting a market near the inn, Kozel and Zharkov happen upon a roaming guardian and are subsequently led to its chosen, who bitterly reveals the situation and the lore behind the mysterious creatures.
Dealing with babbies
Ferdinand tells about stuff
Noah finds out about the deer (or reveals he's known)
Zharkov teaches Kozel to ride/do things
Training rps?
Dreaming
Winter Wonderland (ORP) (Post req met, unfinished)
Echoes in the Dark (PRP) (Ongoing)
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Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:09 am
Relationships
Kozel - stuff here
Lucterius - stuff
Prokhor -
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Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 5:04 pm
TIMELINE COMING SOON
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Plots, self reminders, and brainstorms
Waking
?? I have lots of plots with zharkov already planned, not likely to plot anything huge or life-changing with anyone else at this point, but am willing to do small/silly rps for fun or acquaintances or friends. will be easier to know what to do once his guardian is older.
Zharkov is okay with animals and will have an fairly good relationship with his deer, but due to his violent past and warring homeland, he will be torn about the implications of being a chosen which means:
future conflict between his desire to live comfortably vs. the prospect of
being a guardian and getting pulled into another war (probably cliche as ******** for this shop but oh well lol)
dealing/clashing with sunderland military people or more militant-oriented chosen (its not my ******** country, not my war, not my problem)
possibly joining any kind of group that attempts to 'dodge the draft' so to speak, if it ever comes to that (and learning why that's a bad idea uh oh wolves)
wrestling with whether or not he wants to embrace peace or go back to the good ol killing times, cause yeah he had some fun back then and he's pretty good at fighting (he better be after over ten years in the okrainan military)
Maybe something about the smuggling thing? ive been trying to research this topic during this era but most of his 'associates' are secondary characters of my own creation that will likely not become full fledged characters. i am hesitant about this because i am unsure of exactly how much trouble to get him in later on, but if you have a similar type of shady character i wouldn't be adverse to possible plotting.
have been using this site as a reference for smuggling and stuff
Dreaming
Almost always open to dreaming rps, pm me if interested!
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Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 1:23 am
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