Atra's towering form typically stands a head above most of his peers. His shoulders are broad with a broad chest that drops to a more slender waist. His body is conditioned and fit, showing the signs of his physical training while his skin is so pale that it appears to glow when reflecting moonlight. His entire back and right arm are covered in burn scars that creep over his shoulder onto his chest, adding to the battle scars that mar the rest of his flesh in a criss-crossed tapestry. Notably, a vicious scar passes across his torso from his left shoulder towards his right hip, accompanied by the faded remnants of a slash through his right side. There is also a faded scar running through the outer edge of his left eyebrow and down his cheek. His dark grey, nearly black hair is kept messy and of medium length, while he has thinly trimmed facial hair in the form of a full beard. He possesses sharp cheekbones while the rest of his face has a soft almost sad quality to it. When he speaks, he does so with a subtle but noticeable lilting accent.
He carries himself casually, with a lightness that stands at odds with the visible muscle structure of his body. The sclera and iris of his eyes are black, while golden flakes around his pupil form a starburst pattern. The paleness of his features, framed by his dark hair, offer a stark contrast.
Atra has a fully developed cocksure attitude that is often deceptive due to his quiet nature, making it more subtle but it is there nonetheless. He holds confidence in himself and the steps he decides to take, even when lacking cause to do so. Personal experience, after all, is the best teacher, while others are hazardous to trust. Should he make a mistake, Atra falls back on his belief that he'll be able to handle anything. He fully expects that no plan would survive first contact, so there's no need to worry beyond that. Still, even when he isn't the smartest person in the room, Atra is certain he's the most correct one, and he doesn't make an effort to hide it.
As a result of this, he will generally disregard the experience or perspective of others over his own. Often to his own detriment, making things harder for himself.
Atra views the galaxy as something to be balanced, full of equal and opposite actions. For each hero, there's a villian. The light, and the dark to meet it. He has taken it upon himself to be the shepherd of that balance, even unto himself. He will carve out the cancer of society. Atra will give strength and knowledge to those without it, and take from those who already possess it. There is no moral limit on what he has the will to accomplish, even in the face of committing atrocities. In the name of that balance, Atra will walk the path of a villain seeking to save others from themselves.
The result of this perspective is a lonely one. He is aware of the darkness he represents, and how it alienates him from others en masse, save for those that share his views or depravity of their own.
Atra isn't one for speeches, or speaking in general for that matter. He tends to say what he means in as few words as possible. When he talks, his tone is tightly controlled, reigning in his accent until it's merely a faint lilt. His monotone lacks inflection, but he won't hesitate to drive home a point or reaction with a raised eyebrow. But while he may dwell in silence, that doesn't mean he's not constantly in thought.
He is always watching for a chance to ply his wit in as dry a manner as possible. In fact, he's downright surgical when it comes to tossing in sarcastic comments. As a result, unless they share his sense of humor, Atra is at constant risk of rubbing others the wrong way or robbing them of their motivation. Even more so when he can't keep from smirking when particularly pleased with a line.
Atra has no concept of societal expectations, something most people take for granted, and possesses a limited emotional range. He finds it very difficult to feel much of anything, let alone anger, sadness, or even happiness. As a result, he'll generally avoid any form of gathering or social obligations, never having a need for them. Atra will try to fake it until he makes it, however, when left with no other recourse. He mimics what he sees others doing and takes wild guesses at what would be "acceptable" in a given scenario.
The end result misses the mark almost more often than it lands. What would bother others leaves him shrugging. When someone else would be angry, Atra doesn't understand why he should. While Atra is left with the possibility of merely being confused at the very worst, the impact of his failures weighs more heavily on those he impacts.
Atra has honed his technique towards minimal movements and unpredictable attacks. To that end, Atra keeps his lightsabers disengaged and foregoes any sort of recognizable stance. Often, he relies on minimal dodges and feints. However, when he strikes, the blades ignite and he uses the Force to extend his reach, as if the lightsabers are attached to chains. Usually keeping one in hand for protection, he throws his weapon mid-swing and carries it further than expected, swinging it around him like a spinning blade. This method allows him to double his 'killing sphere' while circumventing guards and predictions in an almost dance-like kata.
This technique relies heavily on the Force, which means he must concentrate more fully upon it. That focus lends itself to one on one encounters and crowd control during the chaos of a skirmish, but it becomes much harder to face multiple duelists focused on him simultaneously.
Atra Ventus knows that most battles are lost long before the final blow. It is something he seeks to leverage at all times. He values an opponent's thoughts and reactions as much as their combat ability, putting pressure on them verbally to gather more information. He turns them into a puzzle to be solved. Combat itself becomes secondary to this mental war, and he won't hesitate to settle into a lull in favor of what he considers to be the more important battlefront.
While understanding and, potentially, breaking another person mentally is a reliable method, no two individuals function the same. It's a tightrope between tipping matters in his own favor or sending things off the deep end. A foe could be built up just as easily as they're torn down. Perhaps they're afflicted by a madness that makes such efforts just a waste of time. Still, one should always try.
Master (+5) | |
Adept (+4) | |
Proficient (+3) | |
Trained (+2) | |
Learned (+1) | |
Mediocre (+0) |
Master (+5) | |
Adept (+4) | |
Disciple (+3) | |
Studied (+2) | |
Initiate (+1) |
Languages |
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Lore |
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Primary Martial Art | Shadow Step |
Secondary Martial Art | None |
Primary Lightsaber Form | Sokan |
Secondary Lightsaber Form | None |