Player Information
Name: James
Age: 21 at time of writing
Contact: Obsi#1171 on Discord
Current Characters: None
Character Information
Name: Faust (Formerly 'Dr.Baldhead', real name unknown)
Series: Guilty Gear
Appearance: Nǐ hǎo! (Not shown: He has nine scars on his abdomen, four are cuts, five resemble holes - they are arranged in a manner that mimics his bag, a complete square with a singular eyehole. These scars seem to serve no purpose other than as a silly shout-out to Hokuto no Ken.)
Age: Unknown in canon, fanon estimated to be late fifties or early sixties
Canon Point: Post-Guilty Gear Xrd REV 2
Canon History: There's a lot to go through... (Current canon point)
...I don't like to talk about this part. (7+ years before canon point)
Personality: Faust is a zany, silly and bizarre individual, to put it lightly. It's apparent he's not entirely there at times, or so it would seem, and he seems content to just be the crazy, wacky jester until the situation calls for something more serious.
Shown best by far when he is required to defend himself, using contortion to assume nonsensical or unconventional combat stances, yelling out near-random phrases ("GOING MY WAY?!?!?!"), and generally acting like a character in a children's slapstick cartoon - his eye bulges out of his bag's eyehole whenever he's struck, no less.
When there is no more room for levity however, he becomes remarkably well-spoken and eloquent, nearly sage-like with stoic wisdom befitting his age. The transition is never accompanied by hesitation, and he is always prepared to knock off the absurdity and get serious when the chips are down.
At one point, within mere seconds of being asked to help research a new and highly dangerous disease spreading throughout a Japanese colony, he immediately settled down for a deep and serious conversation on the symptoms and possible causes of the disease. Before then flying off with an umbrella like Mary Poppins in order to collect field data.
He has an extremely strong sense of compassion, always willing to help others and offer forgiveness for their mistakes, a holdover from his former profession. However, he despises those who hurt or otherwise manipulate others, and will never hesitate to take up arms against such people should it be deemed necessary.
When confronted with a character indirectly responsible for the deaths of many, Faust willingly chose to sit down and gently talked through it with them. On the other hand, when confronted with a different character who instead took significant pleasure in their own murderous tendencies, Faust was beside himself with rage at such dismissiveness towards the lives of others, and wasted no time in trying to apprehend them.
And yet despite everything, there is a lingering darkness at the back of his mind. Once, many years ago, he partook in a bloody and sadistic spree killing fuelled by the traumatic loss of one of his patients, fooled into believing he had been responsible for their death. He has since dedicated his life to atonement for the horrific crimes he committed, but the deranged bloodthirst from times gone by still remains within. It is fortunate that he seems to have found a way to keep it under control and locked away...
All of this is best shown when he finally came bag-to-face with the individual who was instrumental in Faust's entire downfall. Overcome with years worth of repressed fury and traumatic memories, Faust did not hesitate to fight - but where he would normally laugh merrily and dance like nobody is watching, he only remained deathly silent and wholly apathetic until he eventually came out on top.
Faced with the almost-incapacitated form of his nemesis he could not find any words, only deranged, heavy breathing and an inescapable urge to return to the past he knew all too well. And yet, his opponent chose to relay to Faust vital insight into the orders they had been given that day, giving the doctor a difficult choice: Take his revenge and be done with it, or dig deeper until he could ensure that nobody else would ever have to live through what he had to endure.
He chose the latter, for he would not let his demons define who he was again.
Abilities:FOREWARNING - Fausts abilities are not understood, even in his canonical universe, beyond 'he knows occult stuff and can use magic', which means literally nothing. As such, I couldn't provide an explanation nor justification for the good doctors abilities even if I wanted to, but I am nevertheless able to discuss what traits and bizarre feats he been shown to be capable of. I would also highly appreciate as much mod advice as possible, because I can already tell balancing this guy out is going to be an exercise in frustration and a bit.
'Faust Dance' Combat Style: Faust's weapon of choice is a giant, six-foot long scalpel with the thickness of a greatsword. The weapon has shown itself as having some unusual properties, but on it's own is serviceable for self-defence by being wielded as one would a pike. Two other attributes stand out:
One, it has been shown to be simultaneously as durable as titanium, but also able to be bent like a thin strip of rubber. Faust himself seems to have full control over this setting, as he has been shown weaponizing this attribute to turn the scalpel into a bizarre pogo-stick of sorts, hopping around with it in it's 'rigid' state before quickly shifting it into a 'bent' state to engage in unarmed combat with his opponent.
Two, the blade can be detached, and is connected to the main weapon with a length of what appears to be some sort of string, but do not be fooled. The 'string' itself seems to be as durable as the rest of the weapon, and can be rendered loose or taut at will. Faust has been shown using this to pull opponents in by impaling them with the blade, detaching it and leaving the 'string' loose, before hauling the scalpel itself back like a fishing rod and rendering the 'string' taut, dragging his opponent into close quarters.
Teleportation: Faust is capable of both short-range and long-range teleportation, his primary method being disappearing under a blanket before manifesting a literal door where he wishes to go - he then exits the door, and it disappears immediately after. I propose definitive removal of the long-range teleportation, as per FAQ rules, and most likely the short-range teleportation as well unless it is heavily restricted.
'What could this be...?': Faust can manifest items out of thin air, often used as a method of self defence. The items themselves are randomly generated from an existing pool, in such a manner that not even Faust himself knows what he's pulling out of his suit. The only consistencies each item has is that Faust, by default, will always throw them in an arc, and will never be aware of what he is producing. I will now produce a list of all canonically-produced items, and their displayed effects.
Food - Either a doughnut or a bar of chocolate. They can be consumed immediately for minor regenerative properties and some calories. To avoid Faust spurting random junk everywhere in hopes to keep everyone fed on confectionery, I propose removal of the calories and simply let them be bizarre, low-power health packs.
Hammers - Metal-headed and designed for one-handed use, the same kind you'd find in the average tool kit. Faust tends to use these as projectile weapons rather than using them as tools. I propose that they maintain some semblance of damaging properties, he's throwing a hammer at you after all, but will vanish into thin air shortly after coming into contact with something solid.
Mini-Faust - See 'Summons' section below.
Firework - Similar in appearance to a classic cartoon bomb, a dark beige sphere with Faust's insignia and a burning fuse. When the fuse runs out, the firework will launch about 10 feet into the air before detonating for an impressive display. I propose the explosion is rendered completely harmless, but very bright and loud - the same as any commercial firework, just only a small distance in the air rather than up in the clouds. Maybe it could function as a distraction or distress beacon if loud/bright enough?
Meteors - A meteorite is thrown out, only to defy the laws of physics and ascend to the heavens. About five seconds later, several meteorites rain down for destructive effect. I propose either outright removal, or just making the initial meteorite float in mid-air as soon as it's thrown, maybe as a distraction or as a makeshift foothold. It will then disintegrate after ten seconds.
Poison Vial - A small glass beaker that immediately vents it's purple, gaseous contents in a small area around it, about 2 feet around it at best. The poison slowly but surely wears nearby victims down, but never enough to kill. The only 'cure', for some strange reason, is for the victim to strike Faust directly. I propose nerfing down to a very minor affliction, such as a disorienting headache or an unpleasant stomach ache, or perhaps even giving the gas emetic properties.
100 Ton Weight - Self-explanatory. Obviously travels the least distance of any 'thrown' item, but creates a shockwave upon hitting the ground, significant enough to stagger anybody within 15 or so feet of the impact point. Nerfs may not be necessary here.
Drum Can - A metal drum full of crude oil, which promptly leaks it's contents before vanishing. The pool lasts for several seconds after the barrel, and can be ignited for a terrific explosion. I propose outright removal of the explosiveness, and simply let the brief pool be rather slippery. Maybe it's a barrel of vegetable oil instead?
Jump Pad - A cartoonish springboard that wouldn't look out of place in a Smash Brothers game. When stepped upon, the hapless victim is launched up to, and sometimes further still, 30 feet into the air. The pad vanishes shortly after, or otherwise vanishes if not triggered for 10 seconds. I propose that the victim, somehow, gains a semblance of immunity to falling damage after being launched that lasts until they land, rendering the springboard well and truly harmless.
Black Hole - Yep. Fortunately the 'hole' itself is no bigger than a head, and is content to simply float in midair as it vacuums everything in a 30 feet radius towards it. No real nerfs proposed here, so long as the 'hole' cannot actually suck anything inside itself, it's harmless if not annoying.
Helium Gas - A colourful canister full of helium, with a balloon attached. If the balloon is popped, Helium is released, rendering every victim in a 5-foot radius afflicted with horrifying high-pitched voices! The terror! Seriously though, it's a joke item even in his canon universe. No nerfing required, but the gas itself is easily avoided for those who don't want to sound like a chipmunk. The canister lasts up to a minute before disappearing, otherwise disappearing within seconds after being triggered.
Alternative 'What could this be...?' Proposition: If the randomness is deemed too unpleasant or unnecessary, or the ability to produce objects from thin air just cannot be balanced out, I am more than comfortable with outright removal of this ability as a whole.
Space-time manipulation: Or better known as reality warping. 95% of this has already been covered with the 'What could this be...?' section above, but Faust has also been shown performing slightly less weird acts that could also fall under this heading. Namely: If his bag is removed a bright light will engulf head, not enough to blind but enough to make recognition of any features borderline impossible. He has also on occasion altered the appearance of someone's face, not enough to give them a new face entirely but enough to, say, give them bushy eyebrows or weird bishōnen-esque eyes. The details on how he does this and for long the effect lasts are unclear, so mod advice will be greatly appreciated.
In addition, Faust has been shown 'swimming' through the air in a manner akin to brief flight, an ability which I propose removal of, as well as 'swimming' halfway inside solid ground as a method of evasion, an ability which I also propose removal of.
Summoning: Faust is capable of producing miniature versions of himself, no bigger than a plush toy, with the same methodology as described in the 'What could this be...?' section above. These Mini-Fausts are borderline mindless, and have only ever been seen crawling towards enemies to sock them in the shins. My proposal is to allow Faust a single Mini-Faust to accompany him, like a familiar, with barely enough intelligence to follow simple instructions. The Mini-Faust does not have any needs, and will not leave Faust's side unless as part of a direct order from the good doctor himself.
Faust has also, on occasion, been shown summoning cartoonish flowers as a method of attack, but I am not particularly inclined towards their use outside of social situations.
Shape-shifting: Ironically the most lowkey of Faust's abilities, his alteration abilities have always been restricted to his own appearance, and even then only used to change his attire or enable his bag to show expressions. This on it's own doesn't seem to require any nerfing, though I will proposal removal of the attire-shifting just to be safe.
However, Faust does have one other use for his alteration abilities: He can occasionally 'safely' remove his bag, only to throw it as a fresh bomb and fuse appear underneath it. I will propose removal of this ability as well for the purposes of not giving the good doctor a free, reusable method of thrown explosives.
Oh, and he can manifest a 'tongue' from underneath his bag, which is really just an animated rectangular strip of paper...and there was that time he pulled on a lamp cord which had manifested under his bag, only for an entire afro to sprout from his 'head' for a few seconds...
Contortion: Turns out one of the benefits of being 9'3" and lanky is that contortion is extremely easy. Faust is capable of a 'unique' degree of contortion, being shown able to bend his limbs inwards as if curling into a ball, briefly extend his neck up to three times it's natural length with enough force to actually headbutt someone, and being able to safely rotate all his limbs and neck into any degree of motion without breaking anything.
Medical degree: Did I mention this guy is a qualified, miracle-worker-tier doctor? He was once officially recognised as a licensed physician, and an extremely good one at that. Add in a bit of surprisingly legal occult or magical practices, and he's saved as many lives of terminally-ill patients as he has helped less-afflicted patients through their illnesses. As a matter of fact, he almost stumbled upon the secrets of magical resurrection...but fortunately for the rules of Lifeaftr, he never had a chance to properly uncover them.
In summary, this man is a veritable gold mine of medical knowledge, both mundane and arcane in nature, and has the experience and training to act on all of it. Though I suppose he's also very good at cleaning wounds and changing bandages as well, provided he has the right equipment.
Chinese heritage: Relatively minor, but all characters in the Guilty Gear universe of Chinese descent are capable of manifesting Ki, a spiritual energy with properties similar to magic. Compared to the rest of the cast, however, Faust has never been shown as directly tapping into it...or perhaps, he has been tapping into it the entire time? We don't know, ultimately.
Inventory:Faust's traditional attire, as shown within the 'Appearance' section (Paper bag with one eyehole, white doctor's suit, blue formal shirt, yellow dress tie and clip, red cross accessory belts, striped green trousers, presumably underwear, black socks, brown formal shoes)
Giant scalpel blade, as detailed under the 'Faust Dance Combat Style' section
Stethoscope
Mini-Faust, a Familiar using proposed rules from within the 'Summons' section
Leather doctors bag (black, has Faust's insignia on either side) with a basic locking mechanism, empty
Thread Sample: Meanwhile, in the dreamscape...Q&A: As this is my first time here, I feel it'd be prudent if I'm questioned, just to make sure I'm definitely ready for this. I'll answer any and all questions either in or out of character as is necessary.
Would you rather hurt someone physically to spare them emotional pain, or hurt them emotionally to spare them physical pain?"Presumably you will not accept the answer 'neither'? I would then choose physical affliction: I can treat a broken nose or dislocated arm with ease, but the heart...not everything can be fixed with surgery.
Describe your greatest achievement."Everything I've done after I started wearing the bag. I'm serious! There's so many big and little things I've done, endangered lives saved and unsettling conspiracies exposed, that it just becomes a little unfair to pick one to stand above the others."
Is it better to have loved and lost, or never to have loved at all?"Did you know it's bad to completely sterilise your living space? You need disease and sickness in your life to grow strong. It's the same principle with love, though admittedly love tends to be a lot more friendlier than a recently-used countertop.
Do you think there can ever be a situation in which taking a life is justified?"Yes and no. I don't believe any situation will ever fully justify taking life, but sometimes it's the lesser of two evils. I for one am much more comfortable incapacitating the demons of this world than slaying them - some are hurt, confused people."
How well do you think you perform under pressure?"I've worked as what you would call a trauma surgeon for a good period of my life before I started wearing this bag. That, and I like to think after everything I've seen and been a part of, you'd have to really bring out the big guns to genuinely shake me."
Are you proud of where you are now in life?"Pride's an iffy topic, though I suppose my answer is yes? There are still many lives to save, minds to open and hearts to heal. But I think I've made a good start.
Would you say that, overall, you are a decent person?"When I'm not dedicating my life to preserving others, I'm dedicated to answering that question. I suppose playing a vital role in the prevention of widespread genocide-by-exploding-monsters is worth a few Brownie Points though, right?"
Originally posted on 27/12/2018. Updated on 31/12/2018 to reflect Moderator critique, and updated again on 02/01/2019 to complete the requested Q&A.![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
