Isadore James

Art by lelepedas, owned by Gabe.

* Went to college to study law, but left to enlist in the Alliance Navy as a marine
* Advanced combat training

## Physical Description

### Identifying Marks

Numerous facial and head scars, prominently over the right eye - varying in severity

### Tattoos

Numerous tattoos including a lion’s head encircled by a constellation of stars on his right shoulder

## OOC Info

### Status

Active

**Isadore Yao Weston James** is an experienced soldier and a member of the Council Recovery Corps. He is the head of security for the Citadel branch of Elkoss Combine.

## Biography

Isadore was born to parents Weston and Abina James in Sacramento, Earth in 2158. An only child, Isadore was solely raised by his mother, a practising lawyer, while his father - who was in service in the Alliance Navy - was absent for significant periods of his formative years. While not an ideal setup for raising a small child, Weston and Abina ensured that they could at least earn enough between the two of them to provide a more than comfortable lifestyle for their child. With human/turian tensions still high in the aftermath of the first contact war, his father neglected to relocate the family to be closer together in one of the Alliance’s frontier colonies, and believed them to be far safer remaining on Earth.

While showing normal mental acuity for a child of his age, by 3 years old, Isadore - although not able to comprehend at the time - struggled greatly with his father’s unavailability, unable to recall much about him in periods of his absence, and becoming despondent and anxious when he would return to duty from shore leave. This put an enormous emotional strain on his mother, who suspended her legal practice to devote more time and attention to him until he was old enough to adjust.

As a 6 year old full of anxious energy, Isadore spent most of his free time outdoors and emulated his favourite holo-vid action stars with his school friends Kayla and Shaun, the former of the two having bestowed the nickname ‘Izzy’ upon him when she found Isadore too hard to pronounce - and one that he has carried since as a reminder of his roots. Isadore remained close to them for the rest of his early childhood, as they enjoyed most of their free time outside of class together and became near inseparable at this time. As Isadore grew older, he began to understand more about the importance of his father’s work, and grew in admiration for him with his mother being frequently pestered by questions about his father’s career, which she would indulge.

On a visit from shore leave when he was 8 years old, his father took Isadore  (who had developed issues with his concentration in school) to a local boxing gym named ‘Iron Box’ in Sacramento, where they offered classes to under 10’s. This outlet channelled Isadore's anxieties and energy into something that challenged and rewarded him, and he dedicated himself to the craft of martial arts as a physical outlet for his mental health, but not seeing it as a worthy cause for a potential vocation.

By age 11, Isadore became more aware of humanity's emerging place in the galaxy. He had seen aliens before throughout his childhood visiting Earth, and one day asked his mother where they all fit in and where they came from. Although not able to completely grasp the concept of such a vast galaxy that humanity could have existed for all this time and not run into aliens until recently, this revelation piqued in Isadore an interest into alien history, alternative systems of belief and the concept of a subjective morality unique to each culture based upon their unique histories.

In his early high school years, Isadore studied philosophy, politics and economics - and intended to study law in college and follow his mother in her career path in becoming a practising lawyer after being convinced by her of his natural aptitude for it, because of his ability to argue the point. Around this time Isadore embarked on his first romantic relationship when he started dating a girl in his philosophy class named Raine Eriksson, after having bonded when being paired together for an assignment on free thought. Isadore’s interest in alien philosophy sparked debates with his father when he would return home from duty, in which the elder James maintained that humanity had to stick to the principles and ideals that got them to where they were in the first place, with Isadore having insisted that passing up the opportunity to learn from other species would be limiting potential room to grow. While still having respected his father, this caused Isadore to come away from these discussions finding his perception of the man he idolised altered by his perceived close-mindedness.

On his 16th birthday, Isadore’s mother took him to the Citadel while on summer break, which afforded him the opportunity to meet up with his father while he was there. This was his first real off-world experience - and while already familiar with the Citadel from his studies, was significantly impressed by the size and scope of the station and the variety of cultures on it. The experience of briefly spending time amongst the diverse cultures and people situated on the citadel only further convinced him of the importance of humanity's emerging role in the galaxy concerning cooperation with other species.

A few months before his 18th birthday, while Isadore studied for his final exams, the human colony of Elysium was attacked and then repelled by colonists and the Alliance Navy in an engagement lasting over a week. The heroic actions of the colonists and the Alliance that repelled the attempted assault was widely reported across the Alliance and Citadel space - later to be referred to as the ‘Skyllian Blitz’. Isadore stayed in contact with his father - assigned to a patrol fleet on the far opposite side of the Attican Traverse - throughout and regularly checked up on his well being as well as discussing the developing situation in the Blitz. Just before he transitioned to college, Isadore had a discussion with his father about the possibility of joining the Alliance, but came away from their conversations unresolved about what to do with his future.

Isadore confided in his mother about his apprehension of committing to the full 6 years of studying and then training it would take for him to become a fully qualified legal professional, but refused to talk himself out of it. Isadore struggled in his first 6 months at college, not with the complexity of the texts or the work involved, but in finding the impetus to study. This was followed by a period of self-reflection leading to Isadore realising that he wasn’t going to complete his course - or the next 6 years of study in this state.

On November 9th 2176, Isadore enlisted in the Alliance as a marine, having told his parents over a shared conference holo-call - who weren’t surprised by the news, and offered their support - as he awaited basic training with anticipation. Isadore’s first commission was aboard the ‘SSV Gettysburg’ - an Alliance frigate under the command of Captain Araújo - as a Private 2nd Class. The Gettysburg was tasked with providing reconnaissance in the Skyllian Verge, and any colony assistance or pirate and raider suppression when necessary.

Isadore’s first kill came at age 19 during an emergency response mission at the small human colony of ‘Odysseus’. The colony had already been stripped of most of its valuable resources by the time the Gettysburg arrived, and the signs of a struggle there looked like they had been quickly and violently ended, with many of the colonist’s bodies - including some children - being left where they were killed. This wasn’t the first time Isadore had seen something like this in his brief time in the Alliance, having been part of boarding parties on to small human cargo-freighters adrift in space in known pirate territory that were ransacked, with the occupants either missing or killed - but he regarded the way in which the lives of the colonists - and especially the children - were seen as so dispensable as to be shot and left, as a beyond any kind of reprieve.

On the surface, Isadore heard a shout and a loud explosion, which was followed by gunfire hitting the marine in front him - Private Jude Campbell - and killing them. A group of five batarians (left behind as the rest of their crew caught wind of the Alliance response inbound to their position and fled rapidly) emerged from a shelter near the landing pad, and Isadore fired his avenger in a short controlled burst, hitting one of the raiders in the chest and killing them. The engagement was short-lived, with the rest of the mob falling quickly under the assault of a well-drilled Alliance fireteam.

In the aftermath of making his first kill - outside of grief for his fallen comrade and the many deceased colonists - Isadore felt nothing. While seemingly unaffected by this experience in the short term, he has been reluctant to discuss it with anyone since. Isadore coped with these events by focusing on the good work the SSV Gettysburg had accomplished, and tried not to let exceptional circumstances rule his emotions.

At age 22 - Now a Private 1st Class, and still serving on the Gettysburg - Isadore had developed a close friendship with squad leader Kei Hoshino (a fellow marine 8 years his elder) after Kei got the best of Isadore in a friendly sparring competition between marines off duty. The pair had permanent seats at the marine’s poker games, and while Isadore was a better marine than a card player, he did provide fun colour-commentary after folding. In more private moments, Isadore had started to sketch in a physical paper notebook and often illustrated snapshots of his day’s events as a way to unwind.

During this period, Isadore’s father - now 55, retired from service from the Alliance and returned to earth permanently to work as a shuttle mechanic, would check in with his son at regular intervals, and often ask after details not available to civilians out of habit. During one of these conversations, Isadore learned of his father’s support of the human political group ‘Terra Firma’. Isadore - disapproving of his father’s political allegiances - has since dropped almost entirely out of contact with him, with the exception of the occasional cordial family visit home.

At age 25, Isadore entered into a relationship with an asari by the name of Suana T'vaius who he met at a bar on the Citadel during shore leave. Suana worked as public relations official for Elkoss Combine - the armour and weapons manufacturer - who had offices on the Citadel. The two talked shop for a brief period about their respective firearms experience, with the focus shifting to the more romantic towards the end of the evening, and after a period of dating, committed to a relationship. The pair eventually split - with Isadore’s commitments to the Alliance proving to be his primary focus once again - but remained in a very close relationship. Suana did, however, help Isadore find an apartment shortly after their split on the citadel - his current place of residence.

During an investigation into reports of a concentration of pirates near the Armstrong Nebula, the SSV Gettysburg uncovered the location of a small base of operations located nestled in an asteroid hidden in the belt of the Grissom cluster. The operation saw part of the ground team sent to directly assault and capture the base, with Isadore providing covering fire from a distance as part of the codenamed ‘Void team’ during the assault, and acted under command of close friend Kei Hoshino. Before the assault team breached the base, a group of batarian snipers from a concealed position opened fire on Void team’s location, and suppressed their ability to provide covering fire for the assault team's approach, with Hoshino being gravely injured when he tried to break for cover. Isadore spotted a muzzle flash on a rocky incline, and directed the fire of Void team to the sniper's position while laying down suppressing fire until he was able to drag Hoshino’s body to cover. After the combat medic was able to reach Hoshino’s location, Isadore coordinated Void team to move from cover to cover and charge the sniper encampment, which enabled them to take  the group out and clear the way for the assault team to move on the base - albeit with some casualties taken and the element of surprise lost.

For having acted on his initiative and showing advanced leadership skills, Isadore was promoted to Corporal for his role in the operation’s success. However, the loss of life during the mission - including that of Kei Hoshino, who did not survive their wounds - took an immense toll on him, and Isadore felt responsible for Void team’s failure to provide covering fire on time for the assault. As a personal way to carry their memory with him, he has illustrated those who had fallen in his notebook under the page title - ‘Heroes’. Isadore was significantly emotionally affected by the event, and developed a more aloof, professional persona afterwards in order to maintain distance from his personal life and the harsh realities of life as an Alliance Marine.

At age 27, Isadore entered his 9th year of service, and was deeply shocked by the ‘Coffee Shop Massacre’ that had taken place on the Citadel, although not in residence when the attack occurred. While his service continued as normal at this time, he felt heightened tension when he next returned to the Citadel, but regarded the announcement of the newly formed G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. as a sign that the Council was taking the unrest seriously. Despite having supported the curing of the genophage inflicted on the krogan peoples, Isadore was vocal in his concerns of a krogan hostile response to years of being mass sterilised. At this time,

On Isadore’s 28th birthday, the Systems Alliance had entered the war with the newly emerged Terminus Confederacy, and sided with the G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. Initiative. Soon after in October, The crew of the SSV Gettysburg saw combat action in the Second Skyllian Blitz, where - near the end of the fighting - a cloud of shrapnel caused by a grenade penetrated the casing of Isadore’s helmet. The velocity of the shrapnel was halted by the casing of the helmet, but Isadore suffered severe lacerations on his head and face - which significantly scarred him - with the concussive force of the impact on his helmet rendering him unconscious. While the lacerations sustained caused him to bleed heavily, no pieces of shrapnel embedded themselves far enough to do immediately fatal damage, and his condition was stabilised by the combat medic on-site. He regained consciousness in the Gettysburg’s medbay, and was forced to spend a period of time recovering with his condition monitored for any signs of trauma from the impact. After this incident - which forced Isadore to consider his own mortality - Isadore made more sincere attempts to reconnect with his father Weston, before either of their passing.

While the Alliance emerged from the Second Skyllian Blitz - and ultimately the war against the Confederacy - victorious, the sudden turmoil the galaxy had been plunged into perturbed Isadore, who found the Council’s response to the threat outside of the creation of G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. to be complacent, with the many sides that had attempted a power grab having created a complete lack of galactic stability. Following the conclusion of the conflict, Isadore’s next commission was an assignment to the frigate ‘SSV Somme’ as Gunnery Chief under the command of Captain Xiao, after the Gettysburg was decommissioned.

When the discovery of the Reapers and their intent was made real with their arrival in the galaxy, the SSV Somme and a small fleet detachment helped evacuate the colonists of the industrial planet Therum, with Isadore orchestrating the Somme’s ground efforts. Isadore watched horrified as information regarding the efficiency at which the Reapers were devastating Alliance and Terminus systems while corrupting living organisms to their will became known, and harboured serious fears as to the likelihood of the survival of galactic civilisation. Isadore - incensed and disturbed at what he had heard and seen - had emphasised in his journal the lengths at which the Reapers had gone to in order to warp and desecrate the forms of the abominations they created, and theorised that this was in order to demoralise and give pause to any resistance they met, before he underscored his final thoughts on the matter with a single phrase: ‘I will not pause.’

Although he was unsure of what the outcome of an all-out assault from the allied fleets would be, he was determined to see that he gave his all in its attempt. Following the successful evacuation, the Somme withdrew to the Citadel, where the bulk of the allied forces against the Reaper threat were centralised to defend the station. Here, Isadore reconnected with his old friend Suana T’vaius, reaffirming his affections for her before G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. led the final stand against the Reapers at the Omega Four Relay.

After G.U.A.R.D.I.A.N. successfully activated the Relay Network Weapon, ending the war against the Reapers, Isadore felt uncertainty as to his purpose for the first time since becoming a marine. Suana had reciprocated Isadore’s feelings towards her in the aftermath of the Reaper war, and the two agreed on a loose, non-committal relationship while Isadore determined what he wanted to do with his life.

In his 31st year, he requested - and was granted - an honourable discharge from the Alliance Navy, and on Suana’s recommendation took the vacancy as head of security for the Citadel branch of the Elkoss Combine’s offices. Isadore sought counselling in the months afterwards, breaking down the events of his life and addressing the trauma he suffered in active service to find the lacking component in wellbeing. After a lot of soul-searching, Isadore realised he still wanted to make a difference in the galaxy and help those in need - but not from the front lines this time. After hearing about the formation of the CRC while working at Elkoss Combine, he sent off an application with a detailed copy of his military service and accomplishments attached, hoping he could apply his years of combat experience to a more than worthy cause.

## Personality

Isadore is generally quick to judge, often acting stoically and bluntly to those he does not know - or does not know well enough - speaking in a clear, unwavering tone. This is largely a persona that was cultivated very recently, with the intent on creating as much distance between Isadore’s professional and personal life as possible.

While a relatively intelligent individual and an optimist at his core, later events in Isadore’s life have hardened his ‘world view’ - a feeling of disillusionment only inflamed by his inability to find the purpose in life he desires. He does hold sincere hopes that he will find a place of belonging in the CRC, in helping people in need - something that has defined his life.

Isadore’s jovial, often charming side is often only seen by those he considers as his closest confidants and allies - although he is prone to break his composure and let his guard down if caught genuinely amused, hurt or moved. He is very trusting of those he lets into his ‘inner circle’, though he is not overly protective, holding the belief that shielding those he cares for from some of the harsher realities of life would be more damaging to them in the long run - which could understandably be misconstrued as disinterest, as Isadore struggles with his ability to commit. When relaxed or around people he feels accustomed to, Isadore’s demeanour completely changes. He is quick to joke and smile, often about his hardships - cracking up with a distinctive wheezing laugh, and reverting to his naturally huskier, more informal tone of speech - and being openly empathetic to others problems and situations.

While romantically inclined,  his relationships tend to be brief, more akin to a ‘friendship with benefits’ as Isadore’s difficulty in placing genuine trust or granting his partners his undivided attention has hamstrung him in previous relationships where he has avoided making serious commitments, and hurt feelings in the process. He is resolved to settle down and start a family at some point in his life but admits he hasn’t found the strength of purpose to do so yet and isn’t looking to.

While Isadore is a social drinker most of the time, if intoxicated Isadore becomes prone to inappropriately flirtatious behaviour, and is far more likely to break his stoic composure when under the influence of alcohol - even among relative or total strangers. While his excessive amorousness while inebriated is something Isadore is embarrassed about, some of his most successful romantic relationships have, ironically, started in a bar.

Family is a huge cornerstone of Isadore’s personality, to the extent that he is prone to becoming highly emotionally charged if children are at risk of being harmed. This was largely instilled in him by his parental upbringing, with his mother and father raising Isadore with a sense of loyalty and duty to family, through thick or thin. An example of their influence on his life would be that despite a growingly hostile relationship with his father Weston - a supporter of the Terra Firma party, and in many ways his ideological opposite - he maintains hope that they can reconcile their differences in the future before too late. Isadore considers himself a ‘consequentialist’, believing that almost any action is justifiable in the defense of the innocent or the vulnerable. This philosophy permeates throughout Isadore’s entire personality, but is also at odds with his years of Alliance training and adherence to a strict set of rules.

### Exceptional Skills

* **One Sketchy Dude:** Isadore is a keen draftsman and has many physical notepads and journals full of his drawings and musings. He took up this hobby in his early 20’s in his downtime in the navy, and it has since become a daily ritual for him. The contents of his messy, dog-eared notepads range from sites of natural beauty and landmarks to significant events and people in his life, often coupled with written related thoughts, a recap of events, smudge marks when Isadore realises he forgot to use a left-handed pen again or scribbled through expletives and profanities - depending on the context.
* **A Guiding Philosophy:** Isadore’s interest in philosophy was sparked by his mother, after asking her about humanity’s place in the galaxy. Over time, this evolved into a fascination with outlining the meaning of existence, logic, morality and perhaps most significantly to him: purpose - and has factored into most of the major decisions Isadore has made in his life. Including his notes from studying human philosophy in school, Isadore also has several volumes on alien beliefs, traditions and modes of thought in his possession. His interest in reading these texts has waned in recent years due to his becoming more jaded, and developed more into an occasional self-obligation rather than an enjoyable pastime, looking for answers to questions about his own life that books simply cannot answer for him.

* **A ‘Combative’ Personality:** Isadore has held a passion for boxing since his father took him to the local gym in Sacramento as an 8 year old on shore leave from the Alliance Navy, often working martial arts drills into his workout regime. For Isadore, this was the perfect outlet for the energy and anxiety he had as a child, considering it a turning point for his happiness at the time. He has a broad fascination with historical fighting styles drawn from many species, incorporating new techniques whenever he can. Isadore routinely sparred with members of his old unit in the navy, but ‘retired’ from sparring after being heavily scarred by shrapnel in combat, joking that he was ugly enough already without getting beaten up. Isadore regularly studies cheesy action holo-vids to see if he can replicate the stunts involved in his Citadel apartment - Although he has noted it has been getting harder and harder for him to explain to guests why his furniture frequently requires repairing or replacing.

## Physical Description

Isadore is a trim, athletically built human with broad shoulders, visible musculature and a short back and long legs proportionately. His golden-brown skin and brown eyes are reflective of his heritage, born to Earthborn human parents of African and European descent.

Isadore’s closely trimmed beard stubble and buzz-cut black hair reveal considerable scarring on his chin, face and head. A distinctive lion’s head tattoo, encircled by the constellation ‘Leo’ is visible on his right shoulder, with the word ‘Ready’ stencilled below it. Just above his left pectoral muscle in calligraphic script reads a quotation from Voltaire: “Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do”.

In combat situations, he wears a suit of off-white/black Elkoss Combine armour, with a patterned Ghanaian kente cloth worn around his neck - a family heirloom - and a tactical visor over his eyes. His armour shows signs of repaired battle damage, with scuffing along some of the plates and discolouration on obvious impact points. His M-3 predator pistol is mag-locked to his left hip plate on his armour, as Isadore - being left-handed - finds it easier to draw from his near side.

Isadore’s everyday wear is practical and unassuming - if ill-kept - and he has made several modifications to conceal armaments or items when on the job. In his free time, Isadore makes more of an effort to be presentable, wearing flashy, but comfortable clothing. Among the more eclectic and extravagant items in his wardrobe are an antique burgundy leather jacket, and a pair of hand-stitched Italian suede boots.

In conversation, Isadore tends to hold firm eye-contact onto whoever is talking, arms folded, with a calm, confident fixed expression and upright posture that belies his uncertainty, though he noticeably will swallow in his throat when caught off guard. In contrast, when by himself Isadore is prone to furrow his brow when deep in thought, wearing a visibly more meek, even unsettled expression which he often plays off with humour or self-deprecation if noticed by others.

### Armament

* M-3 Predator
* M-92 Mantis

### Abilities

* Tactical Scan
* Neural Shock
* Overload
* Sabotage