Polemarch Latzu - A brief profile

Latzu’s Profile

While Latzu is an NPC run by Mai and Verileah (who play Mai, Thaddeus, Alfarinn, Nova, Jan, Dani, Christian, Theo, Palmer, Tobi, Tavi, Vaughn, Loretta and Thanos) and not a true SA character, it is possible some in Vyusher R’asa would know him and be acquainted with little details of his life. Here is a quick character sketch with some of the ‘need to know’ background on the Polemarch.

Name: Latzu Ping
Official Title: Polemarch Latzu – He should always be addressed as such
Place of Birth: China - Shandong Province - Dongying
Age (real and apparent): 60, 39
Gender: Male
Current Occupation: Polemarch of the Legion
Past Occupation: Fisherman, Highway man, various ranks in the Legion

Hair Color: Black
Length and Style: Very short cropped
Eye Color: Very dark brown, almost black
Skin Color: warm walnut
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160
Nationality: Chinese
Race: Vyusher R’asa Werewolf
Body Type: Athletic
Wolf Form: Black with light grey points

Gifter - The highway man who smuggled Latzu and his family to safety from religious persecution

Personality
Tough but fair. Forms judgments quickly. Is confident without being a braggart and generally believes his Legion can accomplish any goal. Knows he is at the top of his field and that his expert opinion is valued.

Appearance
In spite of his fairly average appearance Latzu has a certain presence and authority when he walks into a room. He has quick hands, excellent manners, and sharp eyes. He is often times formal, depending on the company. His soldiers both respect and obey him. He rarely raises his voice in civilian company and appears ‘mild mannered’, so it can come as a shock when he is addressing The Legion in a voice loud enough to split eardrums. Almost never smiles but those who know him can tell he is pleased by his eyes.

Likes
Obedient soldiers. Standing outside the campfire and watching the civilians enjoy his protection. Has a secret love of creative smartasses, but they have to be clever or else they’re just punks in his mind – not that you’d know his opinion one way or another. Good reliable weapons – he doesn’t mind the kids playing with new toys but he prefers tried and true. Seeing punks scrub things with toothbrushes.

Dislikes
Punks with no respect for themselves. People who refuse to learn and adapt. Those who question his judgment or worse interfere with operations. Stupid, preventable mistakes, especially those leading to loss of life. People who break their word or break trust with themselves, who lack integrity

Fears
That the Vyusher R’asa will become something he cannot see himself protecting – they already walk a fine line with their attitude toward Nothos, in his opinion.
He worries that the Alphas and The Legion will turn against each other – while he leads a powerful military force there’s no way of knowing who would come out on top and in the meantime there would be chaos.
Demotion, dishonor, public humiliation

Strengths
Strategy, tactics, the ability to see the big picture and come up with a plan, noticing every detail simultaneously
Leadership, the ability to earn the trust of his soldiers, and to trust them to do their jobs in return. Able to persuade civilians to act in their best interest and to represent the Legion well.
Aggressive, relentless, willing to consider any crazy thing that comes to mind even when most would consider it outrageous

Weaknesses
Allows matters to get personal and can take other’s actions more personally than they are intended
Institutionalized – can’t imagine what he would do if he weren’t running The Legion – probably go absolutely crazy.
He’s been doing this for a long time – he’s jaded and while he would claim he feels every single loss The Legion receives the truth is he’s developed a disturbing tolerance for death and carnage

Abilities
Cult Following – 10
Megaphone – 2
Access – 5
Protector - 2

Flaws
Shoulder companion – 2
Closed Off – 5
Aversion to cooked food – 2
Wild – 5
Believer – 5

Hobbies and Skills
(This is far from a complete list, as we’re dealing with an NPC. Generally we’ll have him knowing what he needs to know to run the Legion, that can be assumed.)
Military history
Tactics, strategy
Skilled in a variety of firearms, explosives, hand to hand weapons

Quirks and Habits worthy of mention:
Makes a thin lipped expression that looks like disapproval but is, in fact, his way of smiling.

Personal History Notes
Latzu grew up in a small town in China. Christian missionaries came through and Latzu and his family were some of the people who got converted. Christianity not really being a done thing in China (especially at that time), Latzu’s father was arrested and held as a political prisoner when Latzu was only 16. Two years of both battles and bribes later and Latzu finally found help, through something called the Highway – they were able to free his father and smuggle them all out of the country. Once they got to New Zealand everyone was supposed to part ways, but Latzu ended up sending his father on to America and staying with his newfound friends, one of whom ultimately gifted him.

He’d managed to come into Vyusher R’asa at a very interesting time – Durriken and Isobel had recently ascended to the rank of Alpha and The Legion, a very modest military force, was being rebuilt into a true army. He ultimately decided this ‘Mighty Army’ might be a good fit for him and joined up. A couple years later and he was taking the Kal, believing he’d found his true calling, something that ran deeper even than his faith. The time was right for someone both ambitious and fevarent, and Latzu rose quickly through the ranks. He developed a good rapport with the Jiro at the time, Vaughn, and is one of the few people who got along quite well with Loretta. After the tragic deaths of Durriken and Isabel, the new Alphas began rebuilding in earnest and saw the need to restore the position of Polemarch. Loretta and Vaughn thought Latzu was the perfect fit for the role, and that’s where he’s been ever since.