Coba

## Background

Orphaned at a young age, Coba was "adopted" and indoctrinated into a secretive guild of assassins. The group's cult-like mentality demanded perfection and abhorred any perceived weakness. To that end, the young disciples received harsh training. Coba, alongside the other children, had his mental and physical limits rigorously tested. Any that broke, were disposed of. While not particularly skilled or powerful, Coba had certain advantages over his peers. Great perception, flexibility, maneuverability, and naturally silent flight all helped the boy succeed and stay alive.

Through harsh selection, Coba and the other disciples were sent on dangerous missions. Both for experience, and to continue to weed out any weak links. Many met gruesome and unfortunate ends. Despite the thorough indoctrination process and borderline brainwashing, killing always deeply affected Coba. For his own survival, he convinced himself of its necessity. Routinely latching onto the idea of making the guild leader proud, or making numerous other excuses to avoid facing reality.

Until the day of the upstarts' final exams. Due to the heavy attrition, very few disciples remained. Once more Coba was tested alongside the others, showcasing their abilities and dedication, culminating into the final test; A trial by combat. As to be expected, the cost of defeat was death. One last barrier to cement the disciples' willingness to do what was needed, and once more purge any lingering weakness from the remaining ranks. Coba won his bout but was unable to deal the finishing blow. Unable to kill someone who, by rights, should have been a comrade.

His inability cost him dearly, and the punishment was thorough. For seventeen nights, the guild master severely beat and tortured him, pushing the boy to the breaking point and refusing to give him rest. This continued until one night, through a combination of chance and outmaneuvering, the boy was able to fatally wound the guild master with his own weapon, before vanishing into the night.

Later years were spent in solitude, constantly running from his old life. Scrounging up food on the streets, or taking odd bounties to make enough to survive. Freedom from the assassin's guild came with a heavy cost, but it also brought freedom for the boy to live by his own morals, and only take the jobs he felt fit with those. Eventually, his life on the run would come to an end upon discovery of the Lushal Manor, now calling the guild his home. His role in the guild is much the same as when he was on his own, providing scouting, subterfuge, as well as occasionally putting his skills to use in more lethal manners. While he still works as a mercenary, he mostly takes jobs against mindless beasts, only rarely taking human targets that have shown willful cruelty and corruption.

## Personality

Polite, kind-hearted, and at times naïve, Coba tries his hardest to form bonds with those around him. Due to his inexperience in social scenarios, he talks infrequently and studies those around him, usually unaware of how odd it may come across to others. Having freedom in the Manor has allowed the boy to develop more of his own identity and ideals, ones that more closely follow his morals. Coba prefers to solve situations non-violently, trying to avoid confrontation, but can be fiercely protective towards those he cares about. In a fight, he becomes a focused and lethal weapon. However, he has no forgiveness for senseless cruelty, and shows no mercy for those he sees as irredeemable.

Despite his polite and timid nature, he is undoubtedly stubborn. Frequently, he attempts to teach himself similar skills to other guild members without asking for help, seeing his curiosity as a burden for them. He idolizes the other members of the guild, and looks up to them with admiration. This, combined with his relative social naivety can lead to interesting interactions between Coba and the other guild members. Whether it be quietly following members that pique his curiosity, or accidentally entangling himself in embarrassing interactions with some of the more lustful personalities. Further, his anxiety and lack of proper relationships growing up leads to him getting far more emotionally attached to those he gets close to. Coba inadvertently relies on those around him for a sense of emotional safety and stability. Though, if he ever senses discomfort or feels as though another individual is displeased by his presence, he has no problem removing himself for their comfort.

Growing up in such harsh conditions and suffering cruelty at the hands of the former guild leader left deep scars upon Coba. Not only physically, but mentally as well. Constantly plagued by terrible nightmares and borderline crippling waves of paranoia, the normally nocturnal owl has a difficult time sleeping soundly. Moreover, his history with the prior guild and the duties he performed left the boy sickened with himself, to the point where he is unable to see himself as anything but ugly and unworthy of affection. With his past constantly looming over him, he sees himself as indebted to Zaf, Ser Berkant, Kagami, and the rest of the Lushal Manor for allowing him a second chance at life.

## Appearance

### Feral

In his feral form, Coba's appearance matches that of any other Great Horned Owl. However, certain key differences allow for identification. While not completely stunted, the feral form is smaller than the typical wild owl. Depending on the level of preparation, his talons will also be equipped with metal claws. Finally, as always, Coba is not one to be seen without his signature scarf, even in his feral form.

### Humanoid

Lithe, fair featured, and having a shorter stature for his age, Coba's human appearance has some mirrored colors to the animal he is kin with. Long, dirty brown hair typically lays unkempt and untamed, with two notable spikes popping up, mimicking the natural horns of which his owl species receives its namesake. His eyes are a bright, vibrant topaz, with black parallel markings under both eyes. For his attire, Coba's signature is a deep maroon scarf wrapped around his throat. Depending on the level of activity, this will usually be paired with a dusty brown half-cloak, draped over his left side. As for his right, his otherwise bare arm is adorned with simple, sturdy metal armor pieces, from a pauldron down to a vicious, clawed gauntlet. His left arm remains bare, save for a fingerless leather glove, and an ominous tattoo on his shoulder, akin to an intricate, haunting black eye. The young man wears a simple, dark colored sleeveless shirt, paired with various tank-tops. Both have the backs cut open for his wings to present themselves whenever the cloak is detached. His pants are equally simple, paired with rugged combat boots. Finally, to cap off his appearance, the seasoned mercenary typically has an assortment of gear on his person, ranging from a bandolier of throwing knives on his torso, and multiple packs, pouches, and weapon sheathes on his hips. While his wings are usually concealed, his tail feathers remain visible.

### Wereform

Coba's wereform is a culmination of seething rage, brought to bear only when backed into a corner and put under immense stress. While in this form, Coba is far more aggressive than normal, with difficulty differentiating between friend or foe and laser focusing on a single target. Coba's height increases to an even six-foot, and he appears as a massive, humanoid Great Horned Owl. Flecks of frost constantly shed from his feathers and talons, and icy mist puffs from his beak with every exhale. As if to assert his own rage, his eyes constantly glow with a deep, cruel light. As always, the one consistent mark is his signature scarf, wrapped tight around his neck. While in this form, Coba will not flee until the target who has triggered this stress response has either been defeated, or he is no longer able to fight.

## Magic and Abilities

### Abilities

Being of an Owl lineage, Coba has superb long distance eyesight and night vision. Furthermore, whenever focused upon, he's able to enhance his hearing to the point of being able to pinpoint targets at range through sound alone. This is relatively selective, as any excessively loud noise can cause him great pain and disorientation while doing this. However, his most renowned natural skill is his ability to fly completely silently. Through a combination of Ice and Light merged into one, Coba's magic takes on the themes of the moon. Paired with his aggressive and high speed combat style, his magic allows for additional damage output both up close and at range. Having no physical durability, Coba makes up for it with sharp, aggressive movements to outmaneuver and overwhelm his targets.

### Character Traits

Silent Feathers- Out of battle, Coba has advantage on all stealth checks.

### Elements

#### Ice/Light

Coba is a dual-type elementalist, but rather than having both elements separated, both are inextricably merged. Any ice spires that Coba creates have an intrinsic, icy glow, reminiscent of the light of a full moon. Inversely, any light he casts also creates frost upon any surface it washes over. Outside of spells that specifically focus on it, these combined traits do little on their own.

### Spells

#### Lunar Phase; Wax and Wane (Buff: Magic):

Dual-typing between the two elements, Coba cycles between two lunar phases to determine which element is utilized. While in the Waxing Phase, light spells become more powerful, while Ice is strengthened during the Waning.

* Self, Buffs magic +1 for 5 rounds

#### Waxing Crescent; Lunar Slash (Range):

Held weapons become coated in frost and light, allowing their blades to slash waves of frigid, luminous energy with every strike. If no weapons are held, additional mana can be expended to construct one from ice.

* Deals 1d8 +4 Ice/Light magic Damage, 60ft range

#### Waning Crescent; Ice Daggers (Melee/Range):

Creating thin, razor sharp spires from ice, the blades are light enough to be thrown effectively at range. Depending on the lunar phase, extra mana can be expended to cause a luminous detonation of the light within, or to allow cracks of ice to spread upon the target to potentially slow. This detonation has a short activation range, and cannot be triggered past 10 feet.

* Throwing range of 20/60, deals 1d8 +4 Ice Damage, detonation takes an extra action and causes 1d8 + 4 ice damage.

#### Waxing Gibbous; Luminous Force (Status Effect):

Gathering light into the palm of his hand, Coba unleashes a blinding light. Focusing the blast forwards creates a damaging, short-ranged impact. Alternatively, sacrificing the damaging effect Coba can instead unleash a short-range flash, blinding any who are caught in it.

* Causes BLIND, DC 14 Constitution roll, can last up to 5 rounds, deals 1d8 +4 Light Damage

#### Waning Gibbous; Lunar Shower (Ranged Multi-Hit):

Creating a storm of needle sharp spikes, a directed storm of ice shards are sent flying towards a target. Accuracy and damage is exchanged in hopes of overwhelming through sheer numbers.

* 60ft range, up to 4 projectiles, 1d3 +4 Ice Damage per spike.

#### Full Moon; Midnight Waltz (Distortion):

Cloaking himself in a veil of ice to warp light around himself, Coba repeatedly fades in and out of vision. With speed and grace, he dances around his opponent, a flickering specter of icy mist.

* Causes Coba to have advantage on attack rolls, and the target has disadvantage on Dodge or Block rolls

#### [AOE] Solar Eclipse; Celestial Halo:

A bright, luminous halo rises above Coba, coating his feathers in searing light. frost coats the area wherever the light touches to create difficult terrain, while the light itself intensifies enough to scorch the skin and blind the eyes.

* Causes difficult terrain, deals 1d8 +4 Light damage in a 15 foot radius.

#### [Last Resort] Lunar Eclipse; Blood Moon's Tithe:

Covering his feathers and claws with sharpened, blackened Ice, a deep crimson light glows within. In a desperate bid, Coba turns himself into a living weapon. Racing against the clock of his own physical capabilities, his speed and damage output sharply increases but at the cost of receiving increased damage in turn. At the apex of the ability, if not defeated, the ice grows past the point of control and consumes the last of Coba's remaining mana and stamina, rendering him immobile and unconscious.

* Increases his speed, deals 1d12 +6 +4 +4 | 1d12 +14 ice magic damage per strike, up to 6 strikes.