Vanuux 'Zolurai: Blade of the Onslaught

This is my Sangheili/Elite self-OC

-Name: Vanuux 'Zolurai
-Alias: Blade of the Onslaught (Onslaught or Blade, for short)
-Homeworld: Sanghelios, in the State of Zolur
-DOB: May 4, 2495
-Ranks/Titles: Supreme Commander (non-Covenant), Affinity Officer, Kaidon
-Species: Sangheili
-Gender: Male
-Height: 8'1"
-Weapons: Twin Piety Blades (White Energy Swords), Energy Daggers, Customized Crimson/Violet Plasma Repeater, Plasma Pistol, any other Covenant weaponry
-Equipment: Active Camouflage, Recording Device, Sangheili Personal Energy Shield, Voice Mimicker, Blood Flask
-Vehicles: Gospel of Our Legions, Phantom, Spirit, Banshee, Revenant
-Eye Color: Violet (Cybernetic left oculus: Dark-red)
-Other Features: Scar from curveblade running aross his right forearm
-Voice Equivalent: Kratos (GoW:A)
-Affiliations: Combined Fleet Of Strategic Affiliations, Homunculus Union Fleet, Legionary Alliance Clan
-Theme(s): The Animal by Disturbed www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyxrpm… and A Future for the Krogan (Mass Effect 3 OST) 1:04-End www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ3BaM…

"Only the deluded would devote their lives to a lost cause."
~Vanuux


Vanuux 'Zolurai is a Sangheili Affinity Officer and Ossoona serving aboard the Combined Fleet of Strategic Affiliations.

Vanuux was born on Sanghelios in the State of Zolur, a traditional clan renowned by the Sangheili for its long-bloodline of Swordsmen and the training of sword-wielding warriors from other States, yet has remained independent from the thrall of the Covenant since its formation. Throughout his youth, he lived within the boundaries of the State’s mountainous regions, training under his many uncles in the ways of sword-wielding while under supervision of his mother Shlinna, one of the highest matrons of Zolur, but he had no idea on his father’s true identity. He also had three younger brothers; the second oldest, Drem, and youngest, Jalinc, from the same father and the third, Vern, from his mother. During his later years as an adolescent, he had become one of the youngest Sangheili in the clan skilled enough to be considered a true Swordsman. He had even gained the attention of Zolur’s Kaidon; Gojur, a decorated General from the 39th Age of Conflict and long-retired Aristocrat, who took Vanuux under his wing and personally trained him as his apprentice in some of the most sacred and traditional techniques in sword-wielding, mostly on the uses of dual-wielding. Vanuux trained under Gojur for over a year and upon beating his lord and teacher in a duel of passage, Gojur rewarded his apprentice with one of his most prized possessions and family heritage: one of his twin, white-glowing swords known as the Piety Blades. With this, Gojur made Vanuux an official Swordsman, giving him the suffix of "ai" in his name, and named him Vanuux ‘Zolurai, the Blade of the Onslaught, after the founder of Zolur. Unfortunately for both of them, this event wasn't diverted from suspicious eyes: an envious viper watched them from the grass.

Upon becoming an adult, Vanuux was summoned by the elders of Zolur, who informed him that they, along with Gojur, have decided to make him the next Kaidon of Zolur; a role Vanuux was honored by, but personally felt he was not truly ready to accept such a responsibility just yet. The night after the meeting, Vanuux had one last match against Gojur and at the end of the fight, Gojur announced that he had taught him everything he knew, and that he was no longer his apprentice but now his equal. What occurred afterwards would change Vanuux’s life forever; as Gojur left in the night, Vanuux meditated and contemplated to himself over the conversation, only to be awaken by the sound of material tearing and liquid spilling, ending with a deathly grunt. He turned to find Gojur, lying in a puddle of his own blood, with a shadowy figure standing before him, holding a bloodied curveblade along with the twin of his Piety Blade. Before Vanuux could make any attempt in stop the assailant, the figure ran into the shadows, disappearing without a trace. Vanuux ran to Gojur’s aid, finding a long slash across his entire chest. Knowing he wouldn’t to save his tutor, he asked him what he wants him to do. Gojur only told him to keep their family safe and pure from whatever treachery was committed on this day. Vanuux promised him this, and swore to avenge his death by cutting out the heart of his killer with both his blades. Gojur, moments from death, warned his pupil to not dwell on misery or revenge, but to find a point of retribution, in which Vanuux kept his word. His final words to Vanuux were “You are Vanuux 'Zoluria, Blade of the Onslaught, keeper of our family's honor, and my child of pureblood. Your mother always knew you'd make your father proud, and she was always right." This revelation brought Vanuux's mind into a flux, realizing that someone has not only killed his family's leader, but also his own father: this event led to Vanuux's conquest for vengeance against his father's murderer.

The following day, Vanuux and the rest of the Zolur family attended their Kaidon’s funeral, all believing him being slain by an assassin from another State. During the final sessions, Vanuux’s brother Drem announced that he would rightfully take his place as the next Kaidon, presenting them with proof of his father’s "blessing”: Gojur’s second Piety Blade, the twin of Vanuux’s. Realizing this revelation, Vanuux, driving on vengeful rage, was prepared to strike down his brother were it not for the intervention of the elders. They stated that they had already chosen Vanuux to take his father’s place, pointing out that he also possessed one of Gojur’s blades. Knowing he would benounce the elders, he called for a feudal duel against his older brother for the other’s blade and rule over Zolur. The elders, living by tradition, allowed such and gave both competitors a day to prepare themselves. The next day, Vanuux made his way to the State’s Keep, getting several positive nods from those he passed. He entered to find the elders, his mother, and Drem, ready for bloodshed. Before they started their duel, Vanuux asked Drem why he did what he did. Drem replied “Why? To lead this family into a new age with a better vision; my vision, where our family will truly become part of the Covenant. When this conflict is settled, and I rule this family, I wil militarize us into and armed force ready for service within the hegemony’s military. This is for the Divine Beyond, the will of both the Hierarchs and the gods we’ve dwindled too far from. And because of your treachery towards the path, you will not see the end of the journey.” Vanuux simply replied back “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I don’t truly follow the ways of the Covenant. Maybe I don’t truly oblige to the will of the gods. But I already know where my allegiance lies: it’s with our family, where yours should be. And that is why our father favored you least. I am Vanuux ‘Zolurai, Son of Gojur Zolur and Blade of the Onslaught, and you treachery end today, my brother.” The duel between Vanuux and Derm went on for near an hour, and eventually Vanuux did something no one thought would happen; he allowed Derm to strike him after revealing the curveblade that was used to kill their father, gaining a scar across his right forearm before falling to the ground. But as Derm approached his brother, and raised his blade for the final blow, Vanuux kicked his leg and grabbed his blade’s twin from his brother’s loosened grip. His brother than began to crawl away, Vanuux stood, both blades activated, walked over to his brother, telling him to speak the truth of their father's demise: driven by wrathful pride, Drem screamed the truth that he murdered Gojur to take his place and rule the State of Zolur towards the Covenant path. Knowing he was defeated, Drem made one final and desperate, frenzied rush towards his brother, damning him for his heresy. In that moment, Vanuux drove both blades through Derm’s chest, straight into both his hearts, and declaring him the true heretic of their family, and that the only place he would rule are the vermin in Hell (a mystrious power flowed through his body and mind upon his victory). With a few blood-filled gurgles, his treacherous brother fell were he stood; the duel was over, and with both blades, Vanuux was now the official Kaidon of the State of Zolur. With the duel ended, Vanuux took a sample of his fallen brother’s blood and mixed it with the sample of his father’s and used that to mark his current armor; he kept the rest for when he gains new armor, so he may continue on his personal "Path Towards Retribution".

During his time as clan leader of Zolur, Vanuux trained several of his cousins and nephews with the skills he learned from both his uncles and his father, passing down their skills to keep the Zolur name intact; he even taught his younger brother yet neither knew the whereabouts of Vern, who disappeared sometime after Vanuux’s rise. During this time, he chose to denounce the Aristocrat rule of no marriage and never mated with any of the State’s maidens, hoping to find the perfect wife to rule alongside him. In 2529, he was personally met with by the Ascension Assembly, a gathering of seven renowned Sangheili Councilors, who came to him to request his services in the Covenant Empire in the war against the humans. Initially, Vanuux refused, putting his family before the hegemony and still holding a hatred towards it for what it has done to his family, but the Assembly reiterated their offer; should he choose to join them, he would be given the Major subclass rank of Officer, and thus presented with the ornamental armor more commonly worn by Officers, but also be handed down the supporting title as an Affinity Officer, a age-long traditional right given only to Sangheili warriors who have shown the quaulities of humility and leadership before joining the military, and are given their own authority as individual commanders, closely equivalent to something in the lines of a Zealot. Finding this as a viable method to begin his Path Towards Retribution for him and his family, Vanuux accepted the Assembly’s offer, becoming answerable only to them for most of his campaign. By accepting their offer, he received the armor commonly given to other Sangheili officers in the Covenant, donning the crimson red shade of his clan's color, and marking portions of it with the blood of his deceased father and brother, to continue his Path Towards Retribution. He left the State of Zolur under the care of the elders, Shlinna and Jalinc, until the day should he return to reclaim his place. Vanuux’s earliest servce in the Covenant was in 2530, during the battle on the human colony world of Eridanus II. Throughout the war, Vanuux had come to respect the humans as capable soldiers, and would eventually find himself in combat against their Demons during the invasion of Jericho VII. By 2545, he’s participated in over twenty invasions and killed hundreds of humans, including over fifty of their Demons. He eventually was promoted to the official rank of Ultra, yet continued to don his original armor and held the title of Affinity Officer throughout the entire war. During the war, he honed his skills with the Piety Blades, and used their energy to heighten his understanding of the power bestowed within him.

In 2546, Vanuux personally began a search for candidates for his planned special task lance to assist himin future operations. Upon being summoned by the Ascension Assembly for service on the holy city High Charity in 2548, he had already gathered three members into his lance; Garrvak ‘Vadumee, a Ranger and old friend when Vanuux first joined the military, Dhon ‘Svarzee, a veteran Major and personal emissary for the Assembly, and Horl ‘Mortumee, a Minor and Dhon’s second. In 2549, Vanuux and his squad transferred with the Ascension Assembly into the Combined Fleet of Strategic Affiliations, a massive Covenant fleet stationed for the exchange; this was the largest fleet Vanuux had ever seen, easily dwarfing High Charity’s own fleet. The Assembly had given Vanuux a specialized task before moving into the fleet: he was to be the Assembly’s covert Ossoona and gain any valuable intel from the planets that they would be visiting and from within the fleet itself. Vanuux decided to come aboard one of the fleet’s SDV-class Heavy Corvettes, the Gospel of Our Legions; since it was being used as a training vessel for the fleet’s Swordsmen, Vanuux chose to reside here and hone his skills, while finding a chance to teach other sword-wielders. After the departure, Vanuux decided to inspect the Gospel’s main hanger which was being used as the primary training grounds. During the middle of this, he noticed someone hiding behind some crates and decided to investigate. What he found was a female Sangheili in green Spec Ops armor, who pounced on him upon discovery. The two then began a mixed game of blade-dueling and grappling; the female’s skills equaled, if not exceeded his own, but it was Vanuux’s calm-minded temper and acted clumsiness that won him the fight. After the fight, he learned that his competitor was known as Zherra ‘Sraomee, a decorated Spec Ops Commando supposedly killed during a space battle several years ago. Knowing she needed to keep her true identity and nature hidden and admiring her skills and aspects as a warrior, he allowed her to join his squad, also gaining support from her network of spies now working within the fleet. As a show of gratitude, Zherra gave him a customized Plasma Repeater she had been working on featuring a re-loadable cartrage for additional plasma magazines: to show its uniqueness, Vanuux had it given a customized paint job of dark crimson to match his own armor, as well as changing the lighting sections from light blue to deep violet to go identical with the blood on his armor, making it appear closer to the plasma rifles utilized by the Jiralhanae. This eventually came to be his secondary signature weapon, primary mostly in the beginning of combat.

Eventually, Vannux had gained the attention of none other than Geddon ‘Gunghoee, Shipmaster of the Declaration of War and Supreme Commander of the Strategic Affiliations. He had been requested by Geddon himself to formally meet aboard his flagship. During their first meeting, Geddon commended him for his role in the Covenant and how it was a privilege to have an Affinity Officer serving within the fleet. However, he also kept him aware that although Vanuux was still a guest within the fleet, the fleet and its forces follow Geddon and no one else: as their main task involves the discovery and retrieval of holy relics and any other artifacts, Geddon and many others within the fleet are hesitant towards those who lack their faith towards the gods. With Vanuux’s word, Geddon made him the Shipmaster of the Gospel, as it has been left without one for some time, and gave him free reign to roam the fleet with his blessing. Vanuux did so, and continued to do so for the next three years aboard the fleet, gaining an alias as Onslaught or simply the Blade, after hearing of his life story and conquest; he has even grown an enemy in Typhon ‘Moramee, one of the High Zealots in the fleet, who considers him a liability in the fleet’s stability. During his time in the fleet, he spent most of it aboard the Gospel, seen by the others who train aboard it as one of the best sword-wielding warriors in the fleet; he mostly trained among the other Swordsmen in the ship's main hanger, and also made a few requests and orders from the bridge and communications center. His squad also roams around the ship and even travels to other vessels for simple missions.

In early 2552, Vanuux was part of the group, along with Geddon, Typhon, and the Ascension Assembly, who were contacted by an anonymous client with vital Intel on the possible whereabouts of the Holy Cipher, a prophesized, yet possibly derelict world of relics left behind by their gods to locate the remaining artifacts scattered across the galaxy, including the coveted Sacred Rings. With this new knowledge, Geddon set the fleet on a course towards a number of human colony worlds keep in the Outer Colonies, hoping to discover the Holy Cipher for the next stage towards the Great Journey. Vanuux only worries what must be done should it be discovered that the humans have already settled on the world. It was during this campaign on the planet Homunculus where his loyalties and beliefs were most challenged, as he was forced to hunt down a single human Demon by the name of Theron, but upon the many confrontations they made, he grew to respect the human for his humility and guardianship over his own team, something Vanuux has dome for his own lance. When the humans were forced off in a Great Exodus, Vanuux and his ship were ordered to covertly follow their fleet to the location of another battle between the humans and Covenant on the planet Reach, where very little intel was retrieved on their mission.