Killer into survivor - The Knight
I like to reimagine concepts of characters. Like killer into a survivor and vice versa. So now, when I can scribble pixel art a bit, I finally can visualize my ideas. Here is a universe where Tarhos Kovacs aka The Knight became the survivor instead of the killer, which I tried to depict and describe to the best of my abilities. Feel free to criticize how unbalanced it is or theorize which perks would be better for this knight in shining armor.
Oh, and if you like "DA LORE", then here is the backstory for this iteration of the character. Simply because I like to write fanfics.
"Born in a Hungarian village, Tarhos experienced the hardships of slavery from childhood. As one of the few survivors of the massacre on the doorstep of his home, he remembered little of his former life. But the life that followed was one of pain and exhaustion. Tarhos spent his entire adolescence serving the ever-warring mercenaries, a slave in the ranks of the Guardia Compagnia.
He was taught that loyalty and obedience to superiors was the highest honor. The only principle he knew, was the one he lived by. With it, he polished his ammunition, cleaned his boots, cooked his meals, and when he was tall enough to hold a weapon, he went into battle.
Time after time, showing incredible stamina, strength, and perseverance, he managed to break out of the ranks of the ordinary slave infantry. But it was not only blind loyalty that drove him. By showing compassion for his brothers and sisters in misfortune, he made three friends. Friends who, in time, swore him alone an oath of undying loyalty.
Alejandro Santiago, whose blacksmithing skills saved Tarhos in battle more than once.
Durkos Malecek, a shadow master who regularly shares stolen rations and trophies among his friends.
Sander Rault, mighty warrior, as strong as Tarhos himself, his loyal friend and eternal rival.
After countless battles, bloodshed, and scorched earth, Tarhos had earned himself not only freedom but also a knighthood. But he wasn't about to leave his friends behind. In an attempt to earn money to buy them out of slavery, he hired himself out to an Italian lord's expedition. Vittorio Toscano, Duke of Portoscuro was not only a rich person, but a man of knowledge. A philosopher and a scholar, much of his knowledge lay far beyond the known world.
It was traveling with him that Tarhos first realized how blind he had been. How he had spilled rivers of blood believing loyalty to be above true virtues. When the expedition reached the temple Vittorio wanted, the locals rose to its defense, considering the ruins a sacred place. Tarhos was ready to bear his sword, but Vittorio stopped him. Tarhos was stunned to see how, with respect, philosophy, and understanding, Vittorio had gotten his way without shedding blood.
Like an older brother, Vittorio calmly explained to the knight the true meaning of honor. The importance of not only taking life but preserving it. To protect those who cannot do so themselves. To create, not destroy. Still pondering what he had said, Tarhos wandered into the depths of the temple. A cold fog began to envelop him as if from nowhere. But at the last moment, as the light began to fade in his eyes, Vittorio came to his aid. Tarhos did not see how he managed to banish the fog. The only thing that became clear when Tarhos returned to the rest of the expedition was that Vittorio Toscano had disappeared without a trace.
Enraged, Tarhos tracked down where the Guardia Compagnia was holding his friends. But instead of ransoming them as he had intended, he used the money to organize a riot. With diplomacy he had never known before, he bribed whoever he needed, coaxed whoever he needed, and making sure he had enough men and weapons, he rushed into battle.
Once again he and his three friends fought side by side, but this time against their slave owners. In the very fire of the rebellion, Tarhos led all those to whom he had given hope of freedom. He became a symbol in the eyes of his people. Here, in the midst of battle, he realized he would never raise his sword for evil again. It was his guiding star now. His vow.
When the battle was finally over, Tarhos looked around. He stood practically on a mountain of corpses while his friends looked on in admiration. He shifted his gaze to his hands... and saw his body begin to envelop in a familiar cold fog....."