Karte

Name: Luca Moretti

Blood type: AB+

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Nicknames: [N/A]

Pastimes: Training, cooking

Scorecard:

Physical

Combat skill

Psychological Strength 3/5 Accuracy 3/5 Intelligence 3/5 Endurance 3/5 Reflexes 3/5 Bravery 4/5 Agility 2/5 Weapons versatility 5/5 Resilience 4/5 Constitution 4/5 Battlecraft 4/5 Wisdom 3/5 5=Exceptional 4=Specialist 3=Trained 2=Average 1=Poor Overall role: Specialist Soldier

Bio: Born 1981 Italy January 17. Raised in the city Karte took a strong interest in cooking since the age of 6. Spending his time being taught by his mother how to prepare meals he became very close to his family. Spending time with his extended family in the country saw many a banquet of which he contributed to and each year added another plate of his creation to the table.

Growing up every year rolled in like the last. School would go by with the holidays arriving allowing everyone to come together followed by more time to learn even more recipes turning his mind into an encyclopedia of fantastic meals. Cooking for his friends he became a neighbourhood favourite among the local children. It was a good life.

Going on into secondary schooling Karte developed an appreciation for chemistry. Enjoying the course and spending his time away from the stove studying he achieved a very impressive record in the subject landing him straight into university. With money being an issue however Karte was able to apply for a scholarship from the army.

Training alongside studying he didn’t care much for the army life. Too much shouting and exertion though he did enjoy the comradery of it all. During survival exercises he became a favourite in the cohort preparing any meats expertly with whatever resources the team could scrounge up. With stomachs full of quality food Karte was a beacon of morale in that he could provide food that would make you forget about the world around you regardless of the conditions.

At the age of 24 however while serving his final year of owed service Karte found his country calling upon him. Even with his immediate family distraught over what could happen to their son Karte held his confidence he’d return home with the trust he had in his comrades to get the job done. Any nerves were settled during the briefing after how simple the operation would be as well.

Assigned a basic patrol operation they were simply sent to observe and report on any disturbance in the mountains near the french alps. Loading up in trucks they sped off towards their objective happily chatting away. The long trip saw the men enjoying games of cards interrupted by the occasional bump and happy chatter even in the cold. Arriving the squad was dispatched into the mountains with ample equipment for a week at an observation post. Marching through the mountains was almost leisurely as they proceeded as friends rather than soldiers on the hike. Most noted they would have to get together again to do the hikes in the alps without all the combat equipment.

Setting up for the night before the final hike to arrive at the outpost position a fantastic meal was produced from the local game and herbs. Laughing no man was placed on watch or even mildly alert. The mission wasn’t officially starting until they reached the outpost so even the officers joined in the fun the soldiers took part in. With a wild night of antics Karte saw everyman as a close friend. Reminiscing over his plan to open a restaurant he encouraged the men to visit one day for a free meal. With the night continuing with laughter and antics. After a tent almost caught on fire the men were sent to bed by superiors with no one on guard throughout the night.

Waking up to the snow building up gently on the tent Karte saw the sun rising so gently over the slopes. The snow carried a blood red tinge with the morning breaking the night and like any other day in the corps he went about packing away his tent alongside everyone else. Ready to move an hour later the sun carried itself through the sky but still held that blood red tinge.

Moving through snow drifts that had built up happy chatter became replaced by quick glances and strange reports as they approached the outpost. Some of the men began reporting figures dashing through the snow to disappear under the sheets, another swore he saw a glint in the distance. Going from an easy stroll Karte proceeded with one hand clutching his rifle.

Reaching the outpost they quickly set out their equipment and assigned guard and patrol duties. The blood red son continued through the sky even as it set adding another uneasy layer of tension to their duties. With the sun set and darkness returning Karte went about preparing a meal for his troubled friends as another group set out. With the meal ready for their return Karte dished out the sizzling comforting broth to those who stood guard or on support duties. Waiting patiently for the patrol to return looking over the snowdrifts a blizzard was approaching. Dipping a finger in the broth a while later to feel it’s frigid embrace he took his concerns up with an officer.

Learning that the same strange figures had now been seen by most in the squad the officer agreed to send only a small search party as their communications expert attempted to hail command. Selecting a few close friends Karte set out in search of the missing patrol through the growing snow drifts and stinging wind.

Pushing through the lights from the outpost quickly dissipated as the blizzard kicked up. Concerned with their hopes in navigating back one member of the search team insisted on returning though Karte and a few others refused to abandon their missing friends. Stumbling through the snow holding their rifles tight it wasn’t long until they found long trails of blood in the snow.

Though not fresh it’d only been minutes since this blood had been spilt. With rifles readied the team set up a perimeter to radio back only to find it useless in the storm. Sending back two runners the remaining few took off into the blizzard in a desperate search for their friends. Wading through some of the snow drifts off beaten paths it wasn’t long until they found what remained.

Their fellow soldiers laid eviscerated being covered in snow visible only by the stained blood that remained. Unable to evaluate the overall damage it was still clear the men had been torn apart. Searching for survivors only revealed the incredible amount of violence that must’ve taken place. With some men entirely devitalized few held down their stomachs which arose into discernible fear.

Accounting for the dead they made their way back to the camp terrified over what could be stalking the mountains. Running back to the outpost where the terrain allowed them to back up the rocky outcrop their outpost resided on the guard waving them down from above quickly fell with the crack of a gunshot.

Panicked and fatigued the Karte and the men of the search team sought out cover below the outpost searching for their aggressor. A few more gunshots followed before silence in the night. Terrified and listening to their officer report the shooter hadn’t been found the men sat deathly still against what cover was available to them on the hill.

Waiting in the darkness of the night with the blizzard clearing saw a few take life endangering peaks expecting to witness a sudden assault. The calm of the night only reinforced the constant terror of death waiting. Anyone could be next, all it would take was another crack in the distance though the next sound to be heard was expected at all.

A sudden scream followed by the disconcerted cries from the outpost in general. Within seconds the rocky outcrop turned into an altar of sacrifice as blood ran down the hill. With one of Karte’s search party charging up to see what the commotion was he stood still shocked to the core before stumbling back on himself. Without firing a shot he turned and ran down the hill without saying a word.

Following his lead Karte and the men alongside him abandoned everything but their combat equipment and charged blindly into the night. An hour later saw the remnants of the force collapsing into the snow drifts trying to reclaim their breath. Looking around at each other they all held questions for each other trying to assert what happened until all fell silent looking towards the man who ran to the top of the hill.

He sat still as pale as death. He didn’t utter a word. Even when he was questioned, threatened and consoled, not a sound passed his lips. Trying to pry Karte only saw the skittering eyes of someone who had seen what could never be taken back. Helping him up he followed only after being pushed along.

Following the long hike back to their extraction point with haste the survivors came under fire once more. Diving into snow banks rounds traced around them though there were no casualties. Every time a man tried to move he was rewarded with a shot landing beside him. Hopelessly pinned they laid in the snow for hours.

With hyperthermia settling in Karte ordered the men forward regardless of the risks. Moving as quickly as they could no more shots followed after them. Convinced they were safe and clear the men let their guard down once more to catch their breath. At wits end everyone did their best to hold together what was left of their resolve, all accept for the man who witnessed the hill.

Walking dead eyed back towards the hill the men called out to him in panic. Taking the initiative Karte ran towards him to stop his detached marching though a blur in the far off closing the distance saw him reevaluating the situation. Seeing multiple beings appear charging forward had him command the remnants of his team to the front and in seconds they were firing with unwanted abandon into the hoard.

Attempting to bring it down saw them at the skin of their teeth as some of the tormented creatures collapsed mid leap towards them desperately trying to defend themselves. Seeing his friend still walking forward and past the creatures towards the hill Karte took a moment for a final attempt to save his friend firing at his leg.

The shot landing true though did nothing to stop his march. Continuing on as nothing happened caused a lapse in Karte’s focus shocked by the outright lack of any reaction and found himself tackled by one of the creatures being thrown into a sheet of ice. A sharp impact to the head saw his vision fading though one of his squadmates managed to tag the beast seeing it laid dead atop of him as the world went black.

Coming to moments later all that could be heard was the crunching of the snow. Trying to move saw no result. Worn down to breaking point in the cold embrace of the snow all he could hope for was that his squadmates would find him. Feeling his body fail to the cold he felt ready to leave the world as footsteps rapidly approached him. Lifted out from the snow from under the corpse and under the shoulder of another soldier he was quickly lifted into a helicopter. Dazed and reeling from exhaustion he passed out again during the trip.

Waking up again in a medical facility he was made aware of his teams grim fate and how task force shadowfall recovered him. Provided with the ultimatum of being sent back without the memories of what had happened or serving alongside them to combat the threat. Trying to recollect what descended upon them brought no image but a terrible terror instead.

Rather than buckle to fear however Karte’s first thoughts went to his friends that had perished so easily then his family. Questioning operatives of the task force they made it aware to him that the threat was still real to the world and could very well consume it. That alone was enough for Karte to agree to their terms and fight alongside them.

Every operation from there on he served with absolute conviction determined not to let that same horrible fate that ended so many fall upon anyone else. Though he couldn’t recollect the beasts he originally saw he became well acquainted with them zealous in making sure not another soul had to witness them. He would make certain that those same dead eyes that walked off into the abyss wouldn’t take hold in anyone else ever again even if he had to traverse it himself. There would be a way to end to the madness, there had to be.