[Michael Vael]

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LAND NO LONGER HALLOWED

looking for: working family ranch members & happenings [break][break]
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"When they're chasing you down with an old bloodhound[break]
And you're running through the fields for your life[break]
You got to get up, son, I know they're gunnin' for ya"[break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

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BACKGROUND[break][break]

The Vael family owns a generations-old ranch outside of Los Eurosia that was once a Gifted "haven/sanctuary". Their business is largely cattle/beef, typically butchered and sold locally, but they also sustain plenty of other odds and ends (mostly for personal use or by request of particular persons/families). They were all pretty involved with Blackstorm at one time. Then the Guild got their claws in them and now use their homestead as a lure for Gifted. The first task they were given when the Guild took over was killing Colton Lowe (Emmeline Lowe's brother). I've included a snippet from Michael's application in the spoiler tag below for more detailed info. [break][break]

SPOILER: Click to show

Michael and his family were "assimilated" into the Guild a little over a year ago. They were essentially given the choice to be killed or to be used and, after some initial resistance, they opted for the latter. Before, the Vaels operated a family ranch that had a low-key/down-low reputation of being a "Gifted haven/sanctuary". A place that offered safety and understanding (or perhaps just room and supper) to wayward or displaced Gifted individuals, be it for only a couple of days or longer.[break][break]

When the Guild caught wind of this, they initially moved to destroy it. But upon discovering the useful Gifts of the family (especially Mike and his brother)... and contemplating the convenience of their homestead being an established "beacon" for Gifted... they stilled their hand.[break][break]

In the year since then, the Vael ranch has been forced to maintain its reputation as a Gifted haven/sanctuary. Only now it's more falsity than truth. They're a lure. The Guild themselves sort of "advertise" the homestead; peddling their whispered existence through whatever underground channels they think might entice Gifted to seek the ranch out. For his part, Michael tries his best to be as unfriendly/unobliging as possible and send off anyone who shows up, but often the Guild has operatives on the ranch who ensure the gate always opens.[break][break]

The ranch is also utilized as a sort of Guild "safehouse" when needed, though the Vael family isn't usually very pleased/accommodating about it.[break][break]

Michael and his brother, better known in the Guild as "Duck" and "Goose" (respectively), are called upon to assist in hunting assignments semi-frequently. With Michael's reactive adaption and power immunity, he makes an effective tool against Gifted with mental abilities that others can't get close to. And his brother's ability of power absorption/nullification has its obvious perks. They are often dubbed the "Mercy Brothers", as they usually advocate/plea/beg for their target(s) to simply desist, surrender, and be stripped of their Gift rather than be killed.[break][break]

(Due to his Gifts, a Guild tattoo wouldn't have any effect on Michael. Because of this, the bastards tattooed his eight-year-old niece in his place. She pays the price for any/all of his failures and/or disobedience.)

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This Wanted Ad's purpose is to put out some feelers for anyone who might want to play into the homestead/turmoil! My biggest and most desperate desire is that, eventually, one or both of Michael's siblings will be picked up, but there's plenty of room for happenings and shenanigans to come from non-family individuals as well. See below!

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THE VAEL FAMILY[break][break]
Most information included in these little breakdowns can be considered flexible! You are absolutely free to choose different names, face claims, Gifts, and tweak whatever else you wish! These are basically my "headcanons" for the characters (and how I'll be playing them as NPCs), but... should you want to pick someone up... definitely feel 100% free to run your own spin by me! ♥[break][break]

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HOWARD VAEL — Vael Father[break]
57, Gifted with Empathy and Telepathy

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The Vael patriarch. Probably the softest Vael of his lineage, tbh. Kinda has a big, bleeding heart and, while he certainly can put his foot down and be firm when demanded, most of his bark/bite is saved for business and he can be a bit of a gush with his family and behind closed doors. Probably has a bit of a reputation as being a little too "soft-handed" for a Vael. And probably struggles with guilt about how things have turned out, because... well... his father, his grandfather, and every Vael before them, would have probably burned the homestead to the ground and gone down kicking and cussing before letting things come to pass the way they have. Loves his wife, his children, and his granddaughter. Michael gets in his face a lot, usually wishing he was tougher, and Howard kind of balks with his youngest son — because, with Michael's negation, he is the only person he can never really feel out or clock what he's thinking.

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AMELIE VAEL — Vael Mother[break]
54, Gifted with Healing and Regeneration

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The Vael matriarch. Really, really, really wears the pants in the house. Quietly very funny. Open and loud with her opinions and judgments. Caring and fussing but in a distinctly tough-love, no-argument way. While Howard is considered the "head" of the Vael ranch, really, Amelie gets a lot of say and weight in what goes on and Howard does lean on her quite heavily in some areas. Michael was always the roughest kid on her nerves and patience. Also the only one she couldn't ever mend when he got hurt/broken. He's responsible for most of her gray hairs and, once or twice, may have caused her to bust a blood vessel in the face from frustration.

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DANIEL VAEL — Oldest Son/Brother[break]
34, Gifted with Power Absorption

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Grew up close with Colton Lowe. When the Vael and Lowe families had their falling out, Daniel followed his father's lead and cut ties. How Daniel really felt about/dealt with the split is entirely up to you (but I imagine it wasn't as easy as he made it appear). Especially when, years later, the Vael family murdered him. [break][break]

As the first son, I imagine Daniel was always under his parents' thumbs a teensy bit more than Michael. Expected to be the head of the ranch after them. Probably pressured at plenty of points to settle down, get married, have babies, and all that (whether he did is up to you — marry him off, make more Vael grandkids if you want, or give him his reasons for never doing so! Whatever you want!) [break][break]

The relationship between him and Michael as I imagine it is a really strong one. No doubt they grew up fighting/scrapping (and probably still do on occasion). I like to think that, when it's just the two of them, Daniel loosens up a bit. Will let Michael pull him into a bit of trouble just as often as he is wrenching Michael out of it. Maybe, just maybe, Daniel's a little wild like Michael (and was just never given as much freedom/"that boy is gonna do what that boy is gonna do" leave as he was). Maybe there's a tiny bit of deeply-buried resentment for the fact? [break][break]

In any case, they never pull punches with one another. Never hesitate to start that fight. Probably go periods without talking to and hating each other. Definitely still have their knock-out brawls every now and again. But, in the end, they'll have each others' back. Pick each other up from bars. Play wingman to one another. Maybe even have quiet conversations in rare moments of vulnerability/struggle. [break][break]

Gifted with Power Absorption. This is a power that would have to be bought from the Power Shop (so we'd have to play without it for a while until you can afford it). He can have a second power if you'd like! With their Gifts, both Michael and Daniel are often pulled into Guild hunting assignments. Very, very reluctantly. I gave him the "Goose" tattoo/name, but obviously you can change that.



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MARIANNE KREHL — Youngest Daughter/Sister[break]
29, Gifted with Power Sensing

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Marianne married and had her daughter when she was pretty young. Right now I'm playing the narrative like she is still married, but... if you'd rather her be single/divorced then that's totally fine! She definitely has the support system from her family to raise Abigail on her own. But maybe she's happy still with her relationship? Or maybe it was too fast and fell apart once Abigail was born? All entirely up to you! [break][break]

I like to imagine Marianne was a wild one when she was a little girl (but def more reserved and grounded than both of her brothers). I like to think she's super f*cking funny too. She's probably a little "doormat"-ish when it comes to her parents and their opinions on her life, what she does, and what they expect from her. Probably always gives in to whatever they say in the end. Maybe she feels a little trapped? Maybe she regrets the life she's written herself into now? Or maybe she really did always want to be a Mom and all that. Again, all up to however you want to play her! [break][break]

Grew up practically inseparable from Nix's character, Emmeline Lowe . Then wedged a slow drift between them when the two families had their falling out and her parents kept expressing their disapproval. Lots of wistful feelings about the whole thing, surely.[break][break]

Marianne was the one to kill Colton Lowe. And I imagine she's struggling hard with it. And I can see her having a lot of frequently "dark and moody" days where she withdraws and can't stand anyone. She's not a murderer. But she is. Shit's heavy, no doubt.[break][break]

Gifted with Power Sensing. I don't imagine that the Guild forces her on assignments like they do Michael and Daniel but I do imagine she is looked at to confirm if anyone showing up at the ranch is Gifted. And she was probably tested by them more than a few times when they first took over. They probably staged some Gifted arrivals and punished her quite extensively if she lied. She can have a second power if you'd like! She has a tattoo as well, but I didn't name it/her in Michael's bio. I like the idea of the whole family being "birds" of some sort, but you can really choose whatever you want!









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WARNER KREHL — Brother-in-Law/Marianne's Husband[break]
31, Human (Can be Gifted instead)

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A city boy "turned country" when he met Marianne. Was very much picked on by both Michael and Daniel in the beginning of their relationship. But he's grown into his own and the boys all get along fine (most days). He's Abigail's father but... she's more likely to turn to her uncles for anything... and Warner can feel that. Makes the occasional fuss about it. He's "doing his best" dealing with Marianne and being there for her after the Guild (and her killing of Colton Lowe), but... it's all very hard. He doesn't really have the stomach or heart for that kind of thing. So it's been hard on him as well. He sometimes struggles with feeling like an outsider on the ranch even after so long. The only "not blood".[break][break]

Can be cut out of the picture entirely, if someone adopts Marianne and decides to ditch the husband (lmao).

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ABIGAIL KREHL — Niece/Marianne's Daughter[break]
8, Presumed Human (Could develop a Gift)

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Marianne's eight-year old daughter. Gritty and tough. Looks and acts just like Marianne did as a little girl. Has only-child problems (a ranch can be a lonely place for a single kid). Michael and her have always been tight. He has taught her plenty of things (and tricks) that end up getting her in trouble with her mom. And she, in turn, gets him in trouble plenty with both her mom and his mom. Abigail can sometimes be like his shadow. And he thinks she's a really great kiddo — smart, funny, and able to fall in the dirt and not cry about it. She wears his Guild tattoo in his place.

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OTHER CHARACTERS & POTENTIAL[break][break]
In addition to family members, other characters that might have reason to be on the ranch could include (but are not limited to):[break][break]

• Ranch-hands, probably hired on in busy seasons
• Guild members keeping an eye on things
• Gifted refugees (who aren't as safe as they might believe)
• Other? If you have ideas, hit me with them!

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