Janov Seldon

The legacy of a lost hero remembered

Master of the Mountain, Exile of the Walking Stars, First Degree Blademaster of Nehark, Saviour of Machine
- Janov Seldon

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A veteran of the core campaign against Golan Trevize and one of the first Britannians to oppose the Golden Empire, Janov Seldon was known as a master explorer ranging through the unexplored wilderlands of the Cataclysmic frontiers and a tinker tradesman of ancient Precursor relics.

While engaging in the search for Manfred Klinnsman Seldon's journeys eventually brought him across the Atlantic Ocean to North America where he became embroiled in the military machinations of the Merikan Union. Alongside the Machinist known as Jimmy Nails, Seldon fought a series of battles to counter Merikan aggression as they ventured to the heart of the northern Dominions. During this time he trained with the blade masters of Nehark and attained the first rank of their Sword Dance fighting art.

The campaign against Merikan Manifest Destiny culminated unexpectedly in the siege and destruction of Machine City, when Seldon, steadfast opponent of the Union military government, nonetheless took control of the city defences and led a rearguard action defending retreating Merikan citizens against the murderous vengeance of the Phoenix Order. In this selfless military action he was eventually overwhelmed and overcome by Phoenix forces but his name lives on in the mouths of the common people of the Merikan Union for whom he has become a revered folk hero. So long as free patriots stand on Merikan soil, the legend of Janov Seldon will be remembered.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Seldon was in peak physical condition during his years of campaigning. Moreover, sometime after his arrival in Montreal it is believed that the scholars at the Klinnsman Academy conducted experiments that augmented his already impressive physical attributes. These augmentations enhanced his strength and agility to such a degree that Seldon's capacity to perform physical feats such as climbing or swimming far outstripped the normal limits of human endeavour.

Facial Features

Seldon usually sported an ungroomed beard, denoting his rustic existence, but beneath this his strong jaw and cheekbones gave an air of dignity and nobility.

Identifying Characteristics

Markings on Seldon's body (mostly shoulders, back, torso, and thighs) indicate the sub dermal augmentation implants he received at the Klinnsman Academy.

Special abilities

Seldon has received bionic implants that grant him superior physical strength and agility.

Specialized Equipment

For a time Seldon was torch carrier of the Star Rod, but this artifact was seized from him by the being known as "ExStrijder." Later, He came to possess the greatsword of Lord Harold Mayfield. Training among the Nehark Blademasters, Janov learned to wield this weapon in one hand and incorporate its brutal weight and inertia into the lethal Sword Dance martial art.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Janov Seldon had lived a simple existence as a forest warden in the lands of North York. Everything changed when he was hired by the local chapter of Machinists to guard the hills of Mount Tycho. The ensuing events that set Janov on his hero's journey have already been detailed in the Shadow Chronicles: ( Adventures on Mount Tycho and Tournament of High Summer (more plot summaries to follow).

The early chapters of this saga culminated in Janov's meeting with Jimmy Nails at the Black Forest SEA bunker (Safe Earth Area). Both adventurers realized they were on a hunt for the same man, a technologist named Manfred Klinnsman. According to the travel logs kept within the bunker, this was the Precursor vault that had brought about Klinnsman's awakening to the secrets of the Precursors and the true nature of the Hidden Empire.

Using the Black SEA matter transference transmitter, the duo pursued Doctor Klinnsman to North America. This set in motion the series of events that would eventually involve Seldon in the regional war for hegemony between the Phoenix Order and the Merikan Union. After Jimmy disappeared during a street fight against Phoenix operatives in Montreal, Seldon resolved to take vengeance upon the Phoenix Order and from that moment his fate was fully fixed.

Education

Seldon learned letters and natural sciences from his mother Abrianna Seldon, a graduate of medical studies at the famed Bohemian Academy.

Employment

Before taking up as an adventurer, Seldon laboured as a yeoman warden among the hills of the North York Moor. He harvested game for Duke Lorimer and traded furs and skins with the local craftsmen of York.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Initially swept into events beyond his control by random fate, Janov Seldon came to learn that his ancestors had resisted the Empire of the Hidden Hand for centuries. His grandfather Juri had in fact participated in the Wars of Princes that had led to the downfall of the Hidden Empire years earlier.

During his time as Master of Mount Tycho and the subterranean Biodome SEA within it, Seldon became aware that the legacy of the Hidden Hand had survived in the rise of a new dominating power: the Golden Empire. This new force was led by the Phoenix Order, one of the factions that had helped overthrow the Princes' ruling Tetrarchy. The Phoenix now sought to replace the Hidden Hand with a new hegemonic power ruled by its own Primus Archonis.

After the Phoenix Order tried to steal the secrets of the Brightmoon Biodome, Seldon swore to oppose them just as his forefathers had resisted the Princes.

Year of Birth

977 PCE 23 Years old

Circumstances of Death

Fate unknown

Gender

Male

Eyes

Greenish blue

Hair

Long, black, tangled

Height

6'1''

Weight

195 lbs.

Character Prototype

As the portrait indicates, Janov Seldon's physical appearance is very much inspired by Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of Sir Tristan.