Axel Voss

### Likes

Justice, swords, giant spiky hair, magic, boots, video games, trading cards, Ruby.

### Hates

The general idea of evil, guns, spiders, whales, his deep biting insecurities that he fights back at all costs.

## Statistics

### Class

Warrior (Book 1 - Beach OVA)Tank (Book 3 - present)

### Weapons

Fallen holy longsword, "Gildaea" and shield, "Cestus Crest"

### First appearance

Frederick's Tales Book 1: Random Encounters

> "*Well, this one seems harmless and innocent enough.... but... what is he planning? Why does he need to create girls?*"
> ― Axel, on Irrel's motivation for creating Ruby.
>
>

**Axel Melodias Voss** is one of the main protagonists of Frederick's Tales, played by Robert. He appears on the cover of Book 1: Random Encounters, along with Matt Ruby and Irrelevant Archemida.

On his home world of Khothngard, he was chosen by his goddesses to become the Dracoknight, tasked with fending off all evil in the land and protecting thousands of innocent lives. The pressure from this daunting responsibility weighed heavy on Axel, and in the dead of night, he left Cerridwen's Hollow with his sister Cierra. Through a series of circumstances, he discovered the power to travel to other dimensions by playing special realmsongs. This new ability kick-started his adventure across the multiverse, leading up to the very beginning of Book 1: Random Encounters. Before the events of Fredland, he amassed a group of friends from different realms that would eventually form the Crimzon Silver guild.

He typically wields the holy longsword "Gildaea," bequeathed to him by the goddess Cerridwen, as well as his shield, the "Cestus Crest." His fighting style consisted of a variety of strong sword techniques and draconi elemental magic from Book 1 until the end of the Beach OVA. From Book 3: A Fragmentary Passage onward, he took on more of a protective role, Guarding his allies from attacks and healing them. However, he still uses the same sword and shield.

## Profile

### Appearance

Axel is a young man of above-average height and lean build. He has pale skin and spiky white-blonde hair, long pointed ears and emerald green reptilian eyes. In addition, he has a long scar running diagonally southeast across his face, and two tiny black dragon horns on his temples, hidden beneath his hair.

His standard outfit consists of a white tee shirt under a black short-sleeved jacket, faded jeans, long brown boots, and a pair of black fingerless gloves. He didn't typically wear armor until sometime between the Beach OVA and Book 3, where he donned a set of turtle-themed plate mail in honour of his fallen terrapin comrades. Regardless of his outfit, he always carries a brown leather messenger bag, which not only holds his things, but also acts as a magical entrance to the Crimzon Silver guild hall.

### Personality

> "*AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA*"
> ― Axel, at any given time.
>
>

Axel is usually a friendly, agreeable sort, always looking to help people, eager to please. He will go out of his way to aid anyone in trouble, no matter the inconvenience to himself or to his companions. This, matched with his tenacity, strong desire to prove himself, and slightly below-average intelligence, results in a hero that often causes more problems than he solves. He will never forget the actions he took as a child, and still assumes all the blame for the consequences. Memories of his regrets and failures cause ample amounts of stress, and can even affect his fighting abilities. When angered to a breaking point, for example, Axel's draconi blood takes over, and he reverts into his primal form: a hulking, rampaging black dragon that some have dubbed "Draxel." Even past these personal traumas, he is naturally very scatterbrained and easily flustered. He can't read any writing except Gondorman; luckily the spoken language is very similar to modern English. The accent of his native tongue is comparable to that of the British chav, complete with cockney dialect.

Though he may be an absolute mess, he cherishes his friends, and even his acquaintances to a degree. Even though he finds himself at a loss when dealing with his companions' crazy antics and rampant debauchery, he would be lost without them. No matter how those close to him may do him wrong, he is still willing to consider them as friends, and will inevitably support them. He treats his fellow members of Crimzon Silver as his own family, and has vowed to protect them with his life.

He is very fond of weapons and armor, and has amassed a massive collection of gear from across the multiverse. He also enjoys playing video games (Pocket Jacket Monsters: Leather Edition is a personal favorite), forging weapons, sushi, magic, boots, and trading cards.

### Relationships

* Cierra Voss

Axel is Cierra's faebrother. He is very fond of her, even more so now that she is the only surviving member of his family. They treat each other as a "big sister" and a "little brother," supporting each other through thick and thin. As siblings do, they tease each other often, but always in good spirit. Axel is aware that Cici is no fragile little damsel, but if you lay a finger on her around him, it may be the last thing you ever do.

* Irrelevant Archemida

Axel and Irrel met under less than pleasant circumstances, as bounty and bounty hunter. Axel had done something to piss someone off, and Irrel set out to bring him in. Upon doing so he discovered that the contractor couldn't pay him what he was promised. Irrel promptly released Axel and they teamed up against the deadbeat.

Since then, the two have met on several occasions, and have developed a mutual respect. Axel regards Irrel as one of his best friends, though he finds himself at odds with his apparent lack of morality. Irrel can always rely on Axel to help him out in a bind, as Axel can rely on him.

* Matt Ruby

Axel didn't think much of Matt when they met, regarding him with his usual brand of pleasantry. It wasn't until much later that he began to form a *very* solid opinion of Matt. Matt currently has him bound to a soul contract formed out of his own sheer desperation, is the only thing standing between him and Ruby, and loves tormenting Axel almost as much as he hates seeing him. At this point, Axel would rather they never met.

* Ruby Vyse

Axel realized not too long after meeting Ruby that he had a large crush on her, and his feelings for her only grew as they spent more time together. He finds himself bewitched by her purity, her kindness, her simple, honest charms. Axel has little experience with dating or relationships, so even though he knew he was in love with her, he hadn't the faintest idea what to do about it, or even if she felt the same way. As of the end of Book 6, the two have finally expressed their love for each other. Unfortunately they didn't have much time to do anything about it before the No-Heroes Timeline ripped them apart.

The two still enjoy the time they spend together, even if certain cat-eared demons constantly try to separate them. Ruby is one of the few members of the Bully Squad Axel trusts completely, and he will go to any lengths to protect her.

* Jane

Jane started off her acquaintanceship with Axel fairly well, by scaring the absolute shit out of him. She spent most of Book 1 through the Beach OVA teasing him, insulting him, and stabbing him with her rapier (or trying to, as he would begin to anticipate it before too long). He might have suspected that the true reason behind her constant attacks was that she had a crush on him, but he was honestly too afraid of her to even fathom the idea. Even now that Jane has mellowed out considerably towards him, he still would rather keep his distance.

* Mark Sharv

## Story

### Early life

Born to wood elf Elias Aubryn and draconi Alexas Voss, Axel was something of a rarity in Gondorma. He spent most of his young life in the peaceful woodland village of Cerridwen's Hollow, free to explore deep into the trees, avoid Cici's constant nagging, and practice various adventuring trades such as smithing and draconi magic. He had good friends, good food, a loving family, and acres upon acres of untamed wilderness to explore. That was all that mattered to him.

That quickly changed when he was about twelve years old. Axel was galivanting around the village, performing his daily duties of being a nuisance to the livestock and dodging Cierra's watchful gaze, when he happened to pass by the Great Tree, in which the village elders had their meetings. He had just happened to overhear a meeting between the elders, and it sounded serious. Two things immediately caught his interest: the sound of his mother's voice, and the mention of his own name. Curious as he was, he couldn't help but listen in as the elders began to recount a certain legend. Now, he had heard this story before, the conquest of the noble Dracoknight of old was one of his favourite bedtime tales. However, something about the way it was being told now felt... different. Mainly, it was being treated as if it were fact... and it involved *him.*

The elders pleaded with Elias and Alexas. The seal on the Calamity that once ravaged the land was beginning to weaken after all these years, and it was time Axel was told about his destiny. For Axel, like the Dracoknight, was of the clan of Voss, and being the first son of a seventh generation, it was time to follow the family tradition, and don the mantle of the Dracoknight himself. It was around this point Axel stopped listening. He needed to get away. He needed time to think. So he quickly found himself pacing around in his favourite hidey hole.

Him, a *Dracoknight*. Axel Voss: a bona-fide chosen one. It was one of the highest honours one could receive, and a great responsibility. A responsibility Axel was not ready to bear. The Dracoknight is sworn protector to the entire world: a sword to smite those who would plunge the world into darkness, a shield to protect the innocent. Scores of innocents. *Thousands* of innocents. His mind began to wander. How could he be expected to defend all those people at once? What if he messed up? What if entire towns were destroyed because he couldn't save them in time? He had little confidence in his skills as a swordsman, and even less in his ability to save the world. It was just too much for him to handle. And so, he decided that the kingdom could always find a new Dracoknight, and resolved to leave Gondorma before it was too late.

That night, Axel packed the essential supplies: a silver sword his father made for him, a dragon-tooth ocarina given to him by his mother, some light rations, and Cierra, sleeping snugly captive in a crystal phial. He took one last look at his childhood home before he stole away into the woods in search of a new life. In his flight, he stumbled across a ruined temple resting in a secluded grove. His curiosity and desire to get out of the rain persuaded him to take a quick peek inside. To his delight, the temple proved to be filled with traps and monsters; clearly it was meant to guard something. Axel's adventuring spirit blazed as he hacked through enemies and deftly maneuvered between swinging blades, having the time of his young life.

Before long, he had already reached the very depths of the temple, and was met with an enormous pair of stone doors, oddly placed in the center of the chamber. He inspected them, expecting to be met with some sort of puzzle or treasure, and noticed a certain set of symbols carved into the rock. They turned out to be a measure of music, strangely enough, and Axel figured there'd be no harm in taking out his ocarina and trying to play it.

The next thing he knew, the doors had thrown themselves open, released untold evil back into Khothngard, and sucked Axel through into a world unseen. This was how his journey began.

## Gameplay

### **Dracoknight**

Axel's initial moveset was based on his original set from the now canned RPG Maker project, "Crimzon Silver." He used a combination of sword techniques and elemental spells that inflict various effects, with a cheap single-target heal for good measure.

### **Terrapin Paladin**

Between the events of Beach OVA and Book 3: A Fragmentary Passage, Axel lost all his gear, and wound up living with a family of sea turtles. They trained him in their ways, molding him into an effective tank. He now has a heavier focus on defending his allies, healing them slowly, and countering attacks.

## Creation and development

### R. C. Hammer

Axel was originally designed in 2015 simply to be Robert's online avatar. He was an amalgamation of everything Robert liked in a character design: big, spiky blonde anime hair, fingerless gloves, cool jacket, face scar, swords, and long boots. He originally was a human rather than an elf/dragonrace mix, and wore an outfit similar to Ash Ketchum of Pokémon fame. Axel didn't have a proper name for a while, so Robert would simply refer to him as "R. C. Hammer," a username he used often.

Over time, Robert wrote a proper backstory for Axel, giving him his elf and dragon heritage, and setting him in a classic fantasy JRPG world where he played the role of a reluctant chosen one. He has always used his trademark jagged sword and shield, though the design of the Cestus Crest has changed somewhat over the years. The development of his personality was influenced by Robert himself, as well as the roles he plays in Frederick's Tales.

A role-playing video game about Axel's adventures was in development at some point, to be entitled "Crimzon Silver." Though the resources and RPG Maker files remain, production of the game has since ceased.

## Musical themes

Variations of "Wol's Theme" from *Mobius Final Fantasy* are used to represent Axel in various scenarios.

His main theme alternates between "Wol's Theme," and "Wol's Theme - The Journey Begins." "Warrior of Light" is his battle theme, and "Wol's Theme - Loss" is used in somber moments. These themes are referred to in the Frederick's not fun RP land playlist as "A Hero's Honour (Axel's Theme)," "A Hero's Journey (Axel's Theme Alt.)," "A Hero's Duty (Axel Battle Theme)," and "A Hero's Remorse," respectively.

When he enters Dragon Shift and attains his dragon form, the battle theme changes to "Otherworld" from Final Fantasy X. This theme also plays during the boss battle against Draxel in *Book 1: Random Encounters*, and is labelled "Dragon's Ascent (Draxel's Theme)" in the playlist.

## Other appearances

Axel appears alongside other Fredland characters in two NES ROM hacks. In Frederick Fantasy he plays the part of the Red Mage and Red Wizard, and in Ultima III: Fredland Edition, he takes the role of Ranger.

## Gallery

"Loading" emote, by Stephen.A neat portrait Stephen drew of Axel, originally meant to be used for a podcast.Axel Voss, rendered beautifully by Stephen.Drawn in the style of Irrel and Axel Adventures by Steve.Spongevoss Squirepants, drawn by Robert.Recreated using Picrew.Axel, recreated in CHARAT MAE.Axel, recreated with CHARAT Blanc.Recreated in Baydew's Maker on PICREW.Draxel recreated in Baydew's Maker on PICREW.Axel, recreated in Rinmaru Mega Anime Avatar Creator. Robert uses a cropped version of this as his default avatar on most sites.Axel, recreated with Kisekae 2."Stoner Axel," created by Steve using some weird avatar creator.Recreated in CookieRun's Magic Oven.Recreated in Epic Battle Fantasy 5's NPC Creator.Axel as he appears in the high school AU RP, Fraudland.Axel as a Ranger in Ultima III: Palatits Edition.Axel as a Red Mage/Red Wizard in Frederick Fantasy.Slait's custom Crypt of the Necrodancer sprite for Axel.Axel's faceset from the canned Crimzon Silver game.Axel's battler set from the canned Crimzon Silver game.
## Trivia

* The only book Axel owns is Pictures of Swords, his personal favorite.
* Axel has been known to eat small bits of every enemy he defeats, claiming that doing this earns him an invisible form of currency known as "experience points." The exact purpose of these points is unknown.
* His favourite cereal would be Lucky Charms, because he'd believe the marshmallows are stat boosters.

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4fPbMd7zpPSaFcnxkBu0F0G8XvR92H5K&disable\_polymer=true