Lazlo

**Lazlo** or **Lazlo Cockladder** is a member of the Indigo Syndicate who is the Vice Leader of the Syndicate, alongside Eegore. He owns a tiger named Lucy.

## Bio

Unusually calm and collected for someone affiliated with the syndicate, Lazlo would be the real brains maintaining the Syndicate, besides Eegore. He tolerates Popeye Jr.'s antics for the most part, as he's a strong believer in his goals, he nevertheless does have a few qualms with him. One for example, is Popeye Jr.'s constant wasting of the syndicate's resources on luxury items and vanity projects that lead nowhere, as well as his severe ignorance on several important matters. He also doesn't take much of the RUC or Syndicate's propaganda seriously, as he is aware of how ridiculous they sound and knows for a fact that they're lies; lies he's willing to perpetrate for the most part, however, as it furthers his and the syndicate's goals (such as eliminating The Republic's enemies). Despite this, he has been baffled by the backstory Syndicate propaganda wrote for him, with him having gone on record saying, "What is this fairy tale nonsense!?"

For reasons detailed in his history below, he has developed a fear for polearm-type weapons and particularly cutting wounds. It is said that he tends to bleed very easily as well.

In addition, he seems particularly concerned about maintaining the Syndicate's public image, trying to make sure anything particularly incriminating does not make it into the public eye. The other members, even his own confidants, do not seem to share that same concern however... [???]

He also maintains relationships with his former colleagues in the military, as well as some government officials and the other members of the Supreme Seven. He seems to receive some directives on where to direct Syndicate's manufacturing, and he sends back reports, the contents of which remain unknown.

## History

Lazlo was a general in The Republic's military in the years xx~xx. During most of his career, he was stationed in [country] while it was still under The Republic's control. His task was to oversee the silver mining operations in [region], where slave labor was utilized to extract as much silver as possible from the region.

When [event] broke out, he, along with the rest of the Colonial Guard, was tasked with putting down the [faction] uprising in the local area. Unfortunately for him, the one known as The Red Hurricane [real name omitted], who had become one of [faction]'s most well-known figures, and their secret weapon, was assigned to a unit heading to the area. Scoffing at the rumors, Lazlo ordered his men to destroy the unit.

However, in almost an instant, all of his soldiers were sliced apart, with The Red Hurricane closing in quickly on him. Lazlo reached for his sword, but before he could draw it out, The Red Hurricane had already smashed it into pieces with his halberd, and with another swoop of the blade, cut open a massive wound through Lazlo's chest. Miraculously, he did not die immediately from these wounds like so many others did. He was extracted by other Republic soldiers as they were forced to withdraw from the area, and had his wounds treated. The Republic ultimately lost the conflict, and by extension their control over [country]. Lazlo would be discharged from the military, where he would live a good number of years without anything noteworthy. Eventually however, he would be invited to join the Indigo Syndicate, and he takes up the offer, becoming the Vice Leader of the corporation.

## Evaluation

Having had leadership experience in The Republic's military, Lazlo appears to be fairly capable, especially considering he's practically running the syndicate for Popeye Jr. Nevertheless, he's still ultimately "second-in-command," and is subject to follow any orders that Popeye Jr. actually gives, no matter how frustrated he gets with his antics.

He also possesses some direct combat capabilities, and it does appear that he's trained in the use of magic, though not to the extent of controlling the weather like syndicate propaganda claims. One should take care in a one-on-one confrontation with him. Although, he never fully recovered from his injuries, and he is getting up there in the years, so he's not quite at his peak anymore. Regardless, don't take him lightly.

His pet tiger Lucy should also be considered a factor, though how loyal she is to her owner remains up for debate.