Kylios, Infernal Ranger

Summary and Recent History

Kylios is a short, blond haired, blue eyed, bronze skinned wedge of a ranger. Built more like a swimmer than a blacksmith, his movements are cat-like and possess an almost palpable energy. He has a wild thing's stillness and ability to concentrate when on the prowl, but his ready smile and obvious delight in every living thing around him belie his darker aspects. Until recently, Kylios has been almost obsequious in his efforts to please the members of House Chosen, and especially toward Cratus whom he seems to hero worship. Since events with the assassins of Samyn's family, Kylios has fallen into a black rage, quite at odds with his normal sunny disposition. Seeing the demon led horde converging and intent to do harm to what he views as Shangri-La seems to have disengaged some of Kylios' survival instincts, at least according to those who've worked closely with him. He is desperate to do something to protect his adopted paradise, but lacks the social skills to lead the effort himself. Kylios doesn't seem to fear anything at all, but approaches most situations with a thought to flight always upper-most in his mind. He has hunted the deadliest of prey, often completely overmatched, and has always managed to get away when he's bitten off more than he can chew. It's led to a reconnaissance-in-force approach to enemies that his allies don't alway react well to.

Background

Kylios' blond good looks and charm belie a childhood of terror, and a youth spent hunting and being hunted through hell by devils of all descriptions. What the Chosen have been able to determine by speaking to the young man in Abyssal is that he was was born to the unwilling consort of an Arch-Devil who slew his human mother over an alleged infidelity with a celestial paladin. He claims to have been hidden away and raised by the slaves of his mother's killer, and speaks Kobbit as his native language. He does not speak Common, but has picked up Celestial, Infernal, Abyssal, and Under Common. He seems to have a facility with languages. Whether his story is true or he is simply insane (or both), Kylios wears a panoply of gear made from the dead bodies of his infernal prey. The barbed devil cloak which he flares in battle is particularly chilling. He says that the weapons he wields were taken from the corpse of a slain celestial paladin, one whom the servants claimed was his father and which his mother's killer is said to have slain personally. He certainly wears a set of chainmail that must be celestial in origin. He has been in prime material for over a year now, and has attached himself to the Chosen for reasons that he has not been able to articulate. Perhaps it's simply that they let him. No divination magic can be used on the youth at all, and he is completely invisible to magic, affected by other types only if it is directed at him by a an intelligence that is otherwise aware of him. He claims to have been that way since birth, and the similarity to Amok's "talent" seems a bit more than coincidental. Kylios is first and foremost a hunter, with survivor coming in a close second. He seems to sleep with every sense on full alert, and he kills as easily as he breaths. That said, there is something almost innocent about him. He views all of Tremon with wonder, and sees even the most terrible of temporal threats as little more than some added excitement to an extended vacation. How he managed to survive for 17 years in hell (he appears to be 18 or so, now) becomes less and less of a mystery the more the Chosen become acquainted with him, but certainly that survival is nothing short of a miracle.

Powers and Abilities

Kylios is a fairly straight forward ranger, with a dash of barbarian. He is very directed in two-weapon fighting and he has an immense, almost unnatural strength. He has a facility with most barren, mountainous, and underground terrains. His favored enemies are Evil Outsiders, Undead, and Monstrous Humanoids. His weapons are pedestrian (by Chosen standards), though the Sunsword he wields in his off-hand has proven quite deadly to undead. The Barbed Devil skin cloak he wears makes melee with him like diving into a murderous blender, and he seems well protected from fire and acid attacks. In battle, he often inflicts wounds that are difficult to heal and which refuse to stop bleeding. He carries certain amulets and wards that protect him a bit from evil and magic. He has been seen to fly for short distances. Other than his prolific offensive melee talents, Kylios is clearly a few notches below the Chosen in durability and overall power.