Reznov Kuzmin

Captain **Reznov Kuzmin** (Evalkan: Резнов Кузьмин) is a soldier of the Evalkan Ground Forces. Wholeheartedly loyal to their cause, he serves his country with pure dedication and commitment, as he felt no opportunity in life is better than becoming a soldier of their empire.

## Biography

### Background

Reznov Kuzmin's early life is shrouded in mystery, with no official records pinpointing his birth date and location. Born in the 1970s, he grew up in the capital city of Supremandy, Evalka. Reznov's upbringing was influenced by the imperialistic culture of Evalka, and he shared a close relationship with a girl named Sasha. Their friendship eventually evolved into a romantic relationship. His father, also a soldier, disowned him for exposing his laziness and refusal to follow orders. This experience, combined with his strong sense of patriotism and the desire to prove himself, led Reznov to enlist in the Evalkan Ground Forces. His loyalty to Evalka was unwavering, and he believed that serving as a soldier was the highest honor in life.

While traveling to a village in McElhone with Sasha, their lives took a significant turn when they were discovered by Captain Ivan Sidorov of the Evalkan Ground Forces. Captain Sidorov presented them with an ultimatum: pledge their loyalty to Evalka by enlisting in the army, or face an uncertain fate. Reznov was intrigued by the offer, while Sasha was opposed to joining the military. They chose to become soldiers to prove their loyalty to Evalka.

General Ivan Sidorov has tracked him down, proving that he knew of her treachery. Reznov Kuzmin then uttered her final words to her, "Goodbye, Sasha, my sweetheart," in Evalkan language, as Sasha's rebels armed themselves in both of their presence and formed up to her. Reznov then shot her in cold blood with his KR-74 rifle, one round to the head. General Sidorov was impressed with his decision, to which he responded with a frigid nod after staring at her corpse for a few hours. His life changed permanently, and he dedicated his life to the newly restored nation of Evalka, forgetting all his feelings for her.

Reznov and Sasha's military careers spanned over a decade. Reznov proved himself as a capable and ruthless soldier, while Sasha excelled as a spy and interpreter. However, their paths diverged when Sasha grew disillusioned with the genocidal acts of Volkan Evalka. This disagreement would lead to a growing rift between them.

The fall of Volkan Evalka's regime and the rise of New Evalka exacerbated the division between Reznov and Sasha. Sasha decided to desert the military and join an army of rebels opposing the empire. Reznov, on the other hand, remained loyal to Evalka and its vision of global dominance. The love they once shared was replaced by ideological conflict.

### Goodbye, Sasha

Reznov confronted Sasha after she joined the rebels, and the encounter was emotionally charged. He believed that Evalka was destined to rule the world, even if it meant using ruthless methods, while Sasha saw the military as murderers. Their relationship irreparably shattered, leading to a fateful decision.

### A New General

Reznov felt a loss of purpose in his life after General Ivan Sidorov died of an illness and chose to withdraw from service. He lost the strength or will to serve in the Army, instead wasting his time drinking vodka, having sex with prostitutes, and shooting random objects to relieve his misery. A new officer known as Vasily Kuznetsov was into service as the new General of the Evalkan Ground Forces, and Reznov was reintroduced to Captain. Reznov afterwards proposed that they invade Razikstan alongside Kuznetsov's Army. This suggestion alone has triggered an incoming Evalka invasion of Razikstan.

### Invasion of Razikstan

It was the year 1999 when General Vasily Kuznetsov decided to invade Razikstan after provoking their military. Captain Reznov Kuzmin was called into duty and deployed to the country, slaughtering all innocent people that he comes across. From that day on, the Evalk Occupation of Razikstan began on that day, and thanks to his leadership, Kuznetsov's Army was founded, and he was one of the higher ranking soldiers to lead them. It was his orders that bombed Nazori, killing Nadia Farik's mother and turned her life into an endless sorrow. Reznov confirms that he does not care about the casualties they caused since he believes they are working hard to achieve their goals.

Ten horrible years later, Reznov was one of Razikstan's most despised figures, trailing only General Vasily Kuznetsov. He demonstrated his cruelty to an adolescent Nadia Farik at one time by shooting one of Kuznetsov's men who failed to arrest her after an almost successful escape attempt. As he picked her up and tossed her back into her cell, he suggested to the General to question her about Commander Farik, for which Reznov had pieced together plausible proof.

Reznov played a pivotal role in the invasion of Razikstan in 1999, leading to the brutal Evalk Occupation. He embraced his new rank and the authority it provided, overseeing the invasion and its consequences. Under his command, Nazori was bombed, resulting in the death of Nadia Farik's mother and an endless cycle of sorrow. And that is where Vasily started his infamous interrogation.

## Personality

A battle-hardened military soldier, Captain Reznov Kuzmin is recognised as one of Evalka's most cruel and fearless soldiers. Reznov is marked by his unwavering loyalty to Evalka, the empire he serves. He adheres to orders without question and believes that the empire's goals are worth any sacrifice. His loyalty is unshakable, and he views those who betray their cause as enemies to be dealt with. He is defined by his ruthless nature. He is willing to condone morally repugnant actions, such as the use of chemical weapons, if he deems them necessary for achieving Evalka's objectives. He prioritizes the empire's goals over moral considerations, making him a formidable and cold-blooded soldier.

Reznov's lack of sympathy extends to those who intend to betray Evalka. His actions, including the cold-blooded killing of his own girlfriend, Sasha, demonstrate his uncompromising stance. He believes that loyalty to the empire is paramount, and those who defect or pose a threat must be dealt with, regardless of personal connections.

Reznov's personality serves as an opposing foil to soldiers like Cole Ramirez, a Panamoan Army soldier who deeply cares about his comrades and civilians. While Ramirez prioritizes saving lives and minimizing casualties, Reznov is willing to accept civilian casualties and considers the sacrifice of his own soldiers as acceptable in the pursuit of Evalka's goals.

## Abilities

Reznov Kuzmin's military experience has polished his skills to the absolute finest. This made him a force to be reckoned with inside the battlefield, where his skills, leadership and marksmanship pave the way for victory.

### Skills

* **Master Combatant**: Reznov Kuzmin is a master combatant, skilled in various forms of combat, including hand-to-hand combat and armed combat. He has undergone extensive military training, allowing him to engage in direct confrontations with efficiency and precision. His combat proficiency makes him a formidable force on the battlefield. He is is an exceptional marksman, known for his accuracy and precision with firearms. He excels in long-range shooting and is capable of hitting targets with remarkable consistency. His marksmanship skills make him a lethal sharpshooter on the battlefield.

* **Brilliant Tactician**: Reznov's tactical acumen is a crucial aspect of his skillset. He possesses the ability to analyze complex situations, develop strategic plans, and make critical decisions in the heat of battle. His tactical expertise is instrumental in leading and coordinating military operations.

* **Leadership**: As a military officer, Reznov Kuzmin demonstrates strong leadership qualities. He can command and lead troops effectively, instilling discipline and determination in his subordinates. His leadership skills are instrumental in carrying out Evalka's military campaigns and enforcing orders, even in morally challenging situations.

## Quote

### Spoken

* *"Loyalty to Evalka runs through my veins. I will follow orders to the end."*
* *"A soldier's duty is to obey, no matter the cost. It's the only way to victory."*
* *"In war, there are no gray areas, only orders and consequences."*
* *"My scars are a testament to my unwavering loyalty."*
* *"The empire's goals come before all else. Even if it means making hard choices."*
* *"Betrayal is a sin I will never commit. Loyalty knows no bounds."*
* *"Every action, every decision, must serve the greater good."*
* *"I've seen the horrors of war, and I've become a reflection of it."*
* *"My duty is to Evalka, and I will fulfill it, no matter the cost."*
* *"The stare of death is a reminder that I'll do whatever it takes for my country."*

## Trivia

### General

* Reznov's unwavering loyalty to his country is a defining characteristic. He remains resolute in his dedication to Evalka, even in the face of morally challenging situations. His loyalty is a core aspect of his personality, and he prioritizes the empire's goals above all else.
* There is an air of mystery surrounding Reznov's role during the prison break in Al Zayini in 2019, which led to Nadia Farik's escape. The details of his involvement or actions during that event remain undisclosed, adding an element of intrigue to his character's history.
* Reznov is known for his ice-cold and unyielding gaze, which has earned him the moniker, the "Stare of Death." This characteristic stare reflects his brutality, seriousness, and unwavering commitment to his cause.
* While Reznov and Nikto share similarities in terms of their cold personalities and their willingness to follow orders, Reznov is distinct from Nikto in that he lacks the notion of being a psychopath. Reznov's loyalty is primarily directed toward his country, and he adheres to a strict code of honor, while Nikto is an emotionless mercenary motivated by financial gains and combat, showing loyalty only to those who employ him.
* He was ranked as the 9th most heinous war criminals in current history.
* Reznov has expert tracking skills, hence he favoured jungle environments.

### Developer Notes

* Reznov's character background draws inspiration from Darius, a character in the popular video game League of Legends. Darius, like Reznov, is a warrior with a complex history, including a wife who rebelled against him and was subsequently killed. Darius's transformation into the Hand of Noxus in the game's lore parallels Reznov's journey in "Iron Hammer," where he becomes a prominent figure in Evalka's military campaigns.
* His rival is Cole "Mute" Ramirez. Both are loyal soldiers from opposing sides, but Reznov is a murderer who serves his country for their genocidal ideals, while Cole serves his country to protect it and fight the forces of evil.
* His main weapon appears to be the KR-74M. Reznov was the first to use the KR-12 when it was fielded in late 2022, proclaiming that it is the next stage in Kremlin's legacy.
* Reznov was sketchy about the prototype KR-12, the XKR-12, stating that "basically the 74M in modern parts and no improvements".