app for bravenewworld

[thatwasnotmyintent]

PLAYER INFO

Name: Jolee
Contact Information: ceedawkes
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time
Characters Played: Armin Arlert | tinytactician


CHARACTER INFO

Character Name: Commander Erwin Smith
Character Canon: Attack on Titan

History: Wiki is here~

AU History: Erwin Smith, by all accounts, had an extremely average upbringing -- born to average middle-class parents, given adequate schooling and training, joined the Guard when he was in his mid-teens, then the Rangers when he was about twenty or so. Once there, his averageness gave way to an astonishing, almost chilling efficiency when it came to tactics, combat and battlefield skills. Erwin was remarkably quick, clever and strong, carrying off routine missions without seeming to break a sweat and providing insight for larger missions that significantly cut down on casualties and even injuries. He rose quite rapidly through the ranks, eventually attaining the role of Commander. He never let it go to his head, putting the same care and dedication into every mission, every report, every new trainee. He seemed almost flawless -- except for how he never divulged his true feelings or motivations. In fact, even those who had been in training with him could say very little about who Erwin Smith was as a person. This has led to him being regarded a little warily, with some even whispering that he must not be quite human, to be so efficient, so talented and so distant. In fact, only once in his entire history has Erwin expressed an opinion -- when he commanded that a local thug that had been arrested for petty, simple crimes be given the opportunity to become a Ranger. His reasons for doing this remain his own.

Canon Personality: Commander Handsome is basically the Attack on Titan messiah. He's shown to be exceptionally talented as a commander of the Survey Corps, which have a reputation for being the group in which the most people die. Under Erwin's leadership, however, and with the implementation of several new strategies, casualties have been reduced by enormous margins. For all intents and purposes, Erwin is composed, passionate and pure-hearted, sworn to defend and protect humanity and promote the glory of the human race. He's an icon of the movement to destroy the Titans, a beacon of hope and basically everyone adores him.

However, when it comes down to it, we know very very little about Erwin Smith. We don't know his backstory, we don't know what he went through to become the incredibly focused, talented, passionate man he is. He has this deep inner fire to defend his people and his home at any and all costs, but there doesn't seem to be any deep trauma that motivates it -- except, of course, for the fact that Erwin has sacrificed untold amounts to save mankind. Rather than being motivated by the loss of a loved one, like Eren, or the love of a friend, like Mikasa, Erwin's view of himself is as a murderer -- a man with the blood of hundreds on his hands, civilians and squad members and comrades, all sacrificed for "the greater good".

And he knows full well that he's gone too far now to turn back, so he embraces this morally grey, ambiguous role as a dual savior and executioner. Erwin has accepted that thousands have died and thousands more will in the pursuit of freedom and victory, and he's willing to pay that price again and again. This leads many to accuse him -- and other members of the Survey Corps -- of having no humanity at all, accusations which Erwin takes and accepts without question.

The only odd note is Erwin's hella yaoi relationship with Levi. His second-in-command, the most skilled fighter in all the Corps -- perhaps even in the entire world -- Levi is later revealed to be a former street gang member who Erwin, for inexplicable reasons, chose to uplift, train and give particular attention to. This shows that Erwin, despite his stony exterior, is not actually heartless or without personal goals -- he has very keen instincts as to which persons will be most useful and helpful to the cause of humanity, and he will do whatever it takes to promote and protect them -- shown when he allows Levi's entire squad to be sacrificed in order to keep Levi safe. There are echoes of this in how he treats Eren later on, understanding that as a Titan Shifter, Eren is vitally important and worth any amount of death or injury to protect.

AU Deviation: In this AU, Erwin is...much the same. He has a goal and drive to protect humanity, he doesn't divulge his secrets or motivations to anyone, he has very few people (read: Levi) whom he trusts at all and he is an overall calm, cool, collected citywide icon. However, since there are less giants running around eating everyone, Erwin has not been compelled to sacrifice any large amounts of people for "the greater good". Yet. The potential is definitely there, but for now he's more Union-wide icon that brooding tortured mass murderer.

Canon Abilities: In canon Erwin is excellent on the battlefield and off, both in hand-to-hand combat and when it comes to strategies. He's talented with the 3D Maneuver Gear (though not as much as Levi) and gives very inspiring motivational speeches as well~

Enlightened Abilities: Surpriiiiiise, Erwin is a God of War. He's known this for sure since he joined the Rangers, though he suspected it long before. He prefers to keep it quiet, though, claiming to be a Fighting/Steel Enlightened, with the former type expressing itself in hand-to-hand combat and the latter contained in his personal favorite weapon, a longsword he's never without. His third type is Dark, which is much more latent and hidden, but will begin to appear more and more as he evolves. This is the type that will express itself in traditional attack ways, such as Dark Pulse or Dark Void.

Starter Pokémon: A Houndour named Gunsmoke~

Notes/Special Considerations: Erwin is hella hot, but besides that, nah.

SAMPLES

• What do you feel your role in Union is?: My role, personally? That's the wrong question to ask. As a member of the human race, as a friend to Pokemon, as a Ranger, as a man, my role is no more or less than anyone else's. We are all required, compelled, committed to making Union a safe haven and our world a better place. Rank and title mean nothing; there are children in the streets who are no less passionate than I. Please understand, I only seek to use my talents to help advance humanity. That is my role: to advance humanity, in my own humble way. [LIE. Erwin truly believes he is one of a handful of people who stand between mankind and destruction. Without him, it would fall apart.]
• What do you seek for humanity’s future?: What anyone seeks. A world where we and Pokemon can enjoy our world in peace together, every inch of it. A true paradise, Savior willing. [LIE. Erwin seeks survival for humanity. At any cost.]
• What aspects and traits do you respect most in your individual fellow man?: Courage, determination, a passion for what is right. All the traits our Savior embodied. [LIE: Erwin respects almost nobody. He respects Levi because Levi is like him, willing to do the dark and dirty work.]
• What do you think your Pokémon respect most about you?: Pokemon have an innate ability to sense someone who means them no harm, who wishes only harmony and peace, and can lead with a firm hand. [PARTIAL LIE: The "firm hand" part is true. There's a reason Gunsmoke is Erwin's only Pokemon -- he's the only one who was willing to cooperate.]
• The gods of old have returned. How would you be judged if you were chosen as a representative of humanity?: I...I would be honored, first of all. Overwhelmed, but confident. My deeds and efforts for humanity speak for themselves. [LIE: Erwin would rather die than face the gods of old.]
• A human has attacked a wild Pokémon who retaliates in defense. How do you respond and whom do you defend?: Ideally, of course, this wouldn't happen. Humans and Pokemon are meant to be allies. But of course, I must maintain the safety of mankind. [TRUTH. More or less.]
• You are alone and bereft of your Pokémon allies, upon what strengths do you rely on to see yourself safely home?: My knowledge of the field and survival training, as befits a Ranger, of course. [PARTIAL LIE: That and Dark Voiding anything and everything that tries to stop him.]
• When encountering a rare and powerful Pokémon, what is most important? Researching it, bonding with it, or defeating it? Why?: Our knowledge of rare Pokemon is sadly limited, due to all the information that was lost when humanity fell. Of course in an ideal situation, researching and bonding with rare Pokemon is preferred, but unfortunately that isn't always the case. In that situation of course the safety of a human is paramount. [Actually a TRUTH. Mostly the last part.]
• What strengths make you most qualified for your role within Union?: Honestly, I'm nothing special. I've trained and learned from the best to get where I am. That's attainable by anyone without enough dedication and willingness to do the hard work. [LIE: He's not afraid to make the hard choices, he never backs down, he never gives up. No matter what.]
• In your eyes, what is absolutely unforgivable?: ...nothing. Nothing is unforgivable. We are all redeemable....Savior be praised. [LIE: He is.]