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Ruby City Tactical Guide
Assembled by Vash Zwingli (Switzerland)
Special thanks to Edogawa Conan, Lavi, Janice Rand, and Sieg
Version 1.0

The Current Threat

Name: Temper Vale
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Height: Approximately 5'10" or 5'11"
Powers: Some sort of "siren song"; he can change what you do by talking to you. There has been record of attempts of attacking him only to have the weapon turned back on the owner, if memory serves.
Attitude: Tranquil on the surface, but far more deadly and in control than he lets on.

Name: Gene Jecklin, "Theodore" or "Theo"
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Grey
Hair Color: Brown-black
Height: Approximately 6'
Powers: What he calls his “luck” that seemingly makes it impossible to land a hit on him, bare fists, magic, weapon or otherwise. To use his words, “Your luck, my luck, they stop becoming chance when I want them to. There's a blow that comes toward me, it looks as though it's going to be close, it'd only be by sheer good fortune I'd escape unscathed. I escape by a hair. Just like that. Those little things, those uncontrollable elements, those accidents, I can do with as I will, make them if I really need to.”
Attitude: Very willing to talk, calls himself the "black sheep" of the group, tense relationship with Temper. He appears charming, easy to talk to, and would have it said of himself that he’s “dashingly good looking”.

Name: Dil Blackwood
Gender: Female
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Dark-- black-brown
Height: Approximately 5'8" or 5'9"
Powers: Unknown
Attitude: Superior, deadly-- rather like the cat with a cornered mouse

Name: Tim Lear
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Grey
Hair Color: White-blonde
Height: Approximately 6'
Powers: Unknown
Attitude: Unstable

Name: Chassie Barrows
Gender: Female
Eye Color: Dark-- brown? Black?
Hair Color: Dirty blonde
Height: Small -- appears to be a child
Powers: Perhaps some form of reality manipulation-- she once made it appear that the whole city was a fairy-tale world for up to a month
Attitude: Child-like, uses very childish form of speech, but is not to be thought of as a child, given her powers. She nearly killed myself and 202 by bringing down a castle on top of us.

Name: Chari Landry
Gender: Female
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Blonde
Height: Unknown-- I haven't met her in person, just over the communicators
Powers: The guardian of Chassie; split personalities? No, more like... sometimes she looses control of herself. She says that “It’s me, it’s still me, but it’s not who I am. Something is broken inside me. I didn’t used to be this way. Before.” She can walk through walls.
Attitude: Rather sweet and kind of vapid, but don't be fooled. She has a strange sense of honor, but seems to hold true to it.

Name: Atien Moore
Gender: Male
Eye Color: Unknown-- dark?
Hair Color: Blonde
Height: Smaller and slight
Powers: Unknown
Attitude: Slow to act or react, but sharp minded-- to be treated with extreme caution and considered deadly

They were once human, but somehow gained special powers and are apparently no longer thus. Apparently someone or something “changed” them and died shortly after, but it’s uncertain if they died by natural causes or at the hands of our captors. Chari says that “they weren’t given much chance to think about [whether or not they were a successful or failed experiment]. We were more than they’d intended -- or more than they hoped for. That’s what Temper says.”

Supposedly our captors come from some version of Earth--a dead one. What happened to it is unknown, but I get the feeling they had something to do with its demise.

They brought us here, according to Temper, “For the purposes of learning, on both sides of the equation”.

They are very powerful, no matter how they seem. They took power from the Watcher and the Interloper, who were the initial beings in control of the city. It's safe to say they're dead and gone now at the hands of our captors.

They are all kin, but not all of them are related by blood.

The Watcher and Interloper

These are the two that the seven above unseated. I include them to give a hint of the sheer power of our current captors that they were able to defeat and apparently kill them.

An excerpt from a journal discovered in the library by Edogawa Conan and Lavi:

"It's no good... He's taken out half the city already, none of us are a match for him. A few of us have managed to hide in the cellars below, but he knows we're here. What could have caused this? We never did anything against the Levia clan... I only pray to the God we had forsaken so long ago that some of us make it out of here alive. Not even the catacombs are safe... All of the slaves released, a rebellion started up. We assumed it was those damned Metal protesters again, but we were wrong. Belial has gained control of the Elements... It doesn't make any sense, the Vampyre isn't supposed to be... It doesn't matter.

Some of us were praying for the Elder of the clan to show up and put an end to this madness... When he came, we thought we were saved. It was not to be. A wall has been raised around the city, trapping us like a bunch of animals. Beelzebub did not come here to save us. His silhouette on the wall is only proof that we're all doomed. I've heard rumors of the Levia twins taking out entire cities in the past... The younger slaughtering all in his path for his own personal joy while the elder merely watches with that emotionless gaze... We were fools to think ones so dangerous and unpredictable were our allies. Perhaps God truly does exist, and this is our punishment for founding this city on the blood of others. I can hear the screams getting closer, it's too late."

Lavi also witnessed first hand one of the brothers turning a monster to stone with no effort at all. Edogawa Conan met with both and spoke of how powerful they were even in mere presence.

Why? Because I love history and want to try telling it from Vash's point of view.

Birth

Switzerland was born on August 1, 1291 as the Old Swiss Confederacy. Originally formed of three allied valleys, he grew into a loose collective of thirteen major cities and a number of smaller communities. He developed his strict sense of neutrality very early in his life when his people took different sides in a conflict between France and Italy, the consequence being near annihilation. Taking this lesson to heart, Vash decided that he would never again take sides for fear of greater destruction. He began training to become stronger so that he could not be forced to do anything he didn't want to do.

Pre-Adolescence

It wasn't until 1648 that Switzerland was acknowledged by the rest of Europe as an independent nation, having gained respect by being a "peaceful island" in the storm later known as the 30 Year War. Unfortunately the peace was not to last.

Beginning with the first Peasants' War in 1653, Vash's homeland was thrown into chaos as the rural population began to revolt against what they considered to be the unfair rule of the cities. These bloody times would continue until 1798 when the turmoil came to a head as the Swiss Revolution. This began the long uphill struggle by Vash to restore order and peace, now grown to twenty-two member states.

In 1848 Switzerland became a federal state, inspired by the United States' constitution. This is probably the only thing that Vash will credit Alfred with as a "good idea." The Swiss constitution is revised in 1874 to take away much of the power from the church and give it to the government.

Adolescence

A precocious country in many ways, Switzerland became on of the first European countries to be industrialized. Unfortunately he was not immune to the environment of the times and spent the twenty years between 1840 to 1860 desperately trying to regain control over a downward spiraling economy. Proving that despite his removed attitude towards the world he was still a moral country, Switzerland founded the International Red Cross in 1863, an organization whose sole purpose was to give aid to those in need. This philanthropic act would earn Vash respect the world over, especially since it came at a time when he himself was still struggling with depression. It was around this time that a particularly creative man invented the Swiss army knife in reaction to finding out the knives the army currently used were made in Germany.

In 1914 other countries tried to force Vash into participating in the first World War, to which he replied "Screw you!" and maintained neutrality by sheer force of "I have more guns than you."

Vash finally managed to regain his footing only to lose it again in the European and World Economic Crisis' of 1918-1933. He took in Liechtenstein in 1919, giving her shelter and protection as best he could even as he sank further into economic depression.

With no time to recover, Switzerland was immediately faced with the growing fascist threat festering within Germany as Hitler gained renown and power. Vash opened his home to thousands of refugees fleeing from the Third Reich and protected over 150,000 refugees for the duration of the war.

Surrounded by the fascist forces of Germany, Italy and Austria, he was forced into some trade with Ludwig for the survival of his people, but still refused to aid him with military strength. Vash stood by the motto "Geistige Landesverteidigung," or "spiritual national defense," reflecting his mindset of unity and moral integrity. In response to the very real threat of being overtaken by the Nazi's, Switzerland mobilized over 430,000 troops to patrol the his borders. However Vash was very aware of the fact that he was grievously undermanned should Ludwig attempt a full scale invasion and had a wild card in reserve. The main railway between Germany and Italy ran directly through Switzerland, so he made a deal with the devil and agreed to allow un-inspected transports to run freely between his enemies in return for raw materials and goods. If either tried to invade Vash would blow up the rail line, crippling the war effort for several years.

Unfortunately Switzerland was not immune to temptation and his desperate state of poverty drove him to accept stolen gold and money from looted homes, forever a black mark in his memory.

Modern Day

Since the end of the War, Vash has experienced an increase in prosperity. His politics and economy are stable, which has helped him to slowly come to a more open and tolerant view of the world arena as a whole. Though still a long way from being considered personable, Vash finally did relent to joining the United Nations.

So.

What do you like about my Switzerland? What don't you like? If you're in a game with him, how do you feel I've done with growing and adapting his character?

I appreciate constructive criticism! I promise, my muse won't shoot you... Okay, I can't promise that, but I'm reasonably certain. I think.

CHARACTER NAME: Switzerland/ Vash Zwingli
CHARACTER SERIES: Hetalia

[OOC]

Backtagging: Sure, why not?
Threadhopping: Of course! Vash needs to be exposed to a wide variety of people, even involuntarily.
Fourthwalling: Er, let’s not. Vash has enough issues without adding that to it.
Offensive subjects (elaborate): Considering he’s been pretty much a shut in for several centuries, offensive subjects include... well, mostly dating and romance. But feel free to bring them up, he needs to grow up. And his mun is evil.

[IC]

Hugging this character: Vash doesn’t like to be touched; even simply holding hands with Liechtenstein, his beloved sister, causes him to flush like a mad man. Unexpected hugs will be received by Vash becoming a statue: completely stiff.
Kissing this character: This is even worse than hugging. Vash has never been kissed, even on the cheek. Depending on the gender of the kisser, Vash can be expected to react one of two ways. For a girl, he’ll probably pull the statue trick, albeit a very crimson one. For a boy, they might legitimately be in danger of being shot.
Flirting with this character: If he even realizes that that is what is going on, Vash will attempt to edge away/change the subject. If this doesn’t help, he’ll pull the statue trick and/or run away.
Fighting with this character: He’d love to. Though permanently neutral, Vash is not to be taken lightly. He is most skilled with firearms, but he’s also adept with bare-fisted brawling and fencing.
Injuring this character (include limits and severity): Over the course of his long life Vash has sustained and survived almost every type of injury. Being wounded comes with being a warrior. However, if the injury is given in any fashion beyond an accident, the giver should be prepared to be stuck back with twice the force.
Killing this character: He’s the personification of a country; beyond the dissolution of his physical nation, he’s pretty indestructible. This does not give people permission to just randomly try and kill him, however.
Using telepathy/mind reading abilities on this character: Feel free to try, but due to the sheer amount of life he’s lived they could find themselves easily overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of his memories.

Warnings: Vash, once you get past his defensive awkwardness, is actually very sweet and kind. However, threatening his territory, his friends, and especially his sister will be met with almost instantaneous violence. He may give a warning. Maybe.

Get your own copy of the IC/OOC Permissions meme!

So, given my small mind and the complexity of the Ruby City game, I'm going to stick this here so I don't forget anything. Also, I'm procrastinating... and I really like timelines. Like, more than any rational person should.

✙ April ✙
24th
✙ Vash arrives in Ruby City, slightly disoriented.
✙ Vash gives his first video feed.
✙ Hungary is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Elizabeθ Buckley is met for the first time.
✙ Vietnam is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Vietnam is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Prussia is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Denmark is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Canada is met for the first time (in Ruby City).

30th
✙ Vash wanders upon Vietnam celebrating her country's Reunification Day. They subsequently become better acquainted and closer in general.
✙ Vash accidentally does his second video feed.
✙ Smoker is met for the first time.

✙ May ✙
1st
✙ Scotland is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Vash learns about the Watcher and the Interloper from Scotland. Scotland muses that the two are very old and that some have suggested they are vampires, or at the very least some sort of immortal beings. He is also told that communication over the watches can be monitored and should not be trusted.

2nd
✙ France is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ In his interaction with France, Vash learns for the first time how the twisted workings of Ruby City can mentally damage a person. He manages to shake France out of his depression and makes the other nation promise to keep in touch.

3rd
✙ Vash does his third video feed.
✙ Chise is met for the first time.
✙ Edogawa Conan is met for the first time.
✙ Vash learns a great deal from Conan. The Watcher and Interloper are brothers and are both roughly 4,000 years old. The Interloper is the younger of the two and his real name is Belial Levia. He is sado-machistic and chooses who is brought to Ruby City. Belial is most often encountered in the catacombs. The Watcher's real name is Beezelbub Levia and used to be the head of the Levia clan. He has been encountered in the library. The brothers are native to the world in which Ruby City exists and were probably responsible for the destruction of the city's original inhabitants. Vash also finds out that the brothers have invited guests to come any play with their prisoners as well.
✙ Janice Rand is met for the first time.

4th
✙ Lavi is met for the first time.

5th
✙ Sui is met for the first time.

9th
✙ Liechtenstien arrives in Ruby City and is reunited with Vash.
✙ 202 is met for the first time.
✙ 202 and Vash form a quick bond over their love of shooting things.

10th
✙ Vash makes his fourth video feed.
✙ Teresa is met for the first time.

11th
✙ Clare is met for the first time.
✙ The crap hits the fan as Ruby City loses it's fairytale setting. 202 and Vash go to the castle and nearly die along the way. At the end, Vash mysteriously vanishes, leading 202 to presume his is dead.
✙ Eltaine Figarette is met in the chaos for the first time, although Vash doesn't learn her name until later.

13th
✙ Iceland is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Rufus Shinra is met for the first time.
✙ Scott Pilgrim is met for the first time.

14th
✙ Conan and Vash meet again, Conan convincing Vash that he needs medical attention. Vash goes to the clinic for the first time and discusses the occurrences of a few nights prior, when the city returned to normal.
✙ Norway is met for the first time (in Ruby City).

15th
✙ Nill is met for the first time.
✙ Terezi Pyrope is met for the first time.
✙ France engages Vash in a paint fight, where they both act childish and silly.
✙ Germany is met for the first time (in Ruby City).
✙ Germany comes to live with Vash and others in the treehouse.

16th
✙ Naoki is met for the first time.
✙ Denmark attempts to get Vash "laid" for some unknown reason. Violence ensues.
✙ Switzerland accidentally makes his fifth video feed.
✙ 202 and Vash are reunited and share coffee.
✙ Izaya is met for the first time.

I'll just stick this here for now so I don't lose and/or forget it.

PLAYER
Name: Ixaix
Personal Journal: N/A
E-mail: abby.gardner@covenant.edu
AIM/MSN/etc: Ixaix

CHARACTER
Name: Vash Zwingli (Switzerland)
Canon: Hetalia
Timeline: Modern day

First Person:
_{[The train arrives, doors opening and allowing a slightly dazed young man to stumble out, one hand pressed to his forehead. As his eyes slowly clear the doors to the train shut behind him before slipping off down the tracks as silently as it came. He looks slightly ill and it takes him a few moments to fully realize his surroundings. Looking around in confusion he notices the odd pocket watch clutched in his left hand, the knobs on the side biting into the heel of his palm. Flipping open the watch he stares at it intensely, fiddles with the knobs, then raises an eyebrow.]}

What the hell? _{[He closes the watch, straightens his spine, adjusts the strap to the machine gun slung across his back, and glares out into the fog.]} I’m not in the mood for games. Too bad for the lunatic who brought me here, but I’ve got better things to do than be their pawn. Liechtenstein will worry if I’m not home soon.

_{[He strides confidently off in a seemingly random direction, tense but with a sort of bounce in his step at the prospect of getting to shoot whoever thought it was a good idea to bring this odd country into the game.]}

Third Person:
It was... peaceful. He hadn't used that word in a long time. Vash laid back in the lush grass, basking in the golden sunlight and listening to the birds singing as they flew overhead. A fish jumped from the water of a nearby stream, splashing him in the face as it reentered. At the sound of a gentle laugh he cracked open one eye to see a familiar face smiling down at him.

"Hello, Lili." Vash said. "What is so amusing?"

"You are." She knelt beside him, wiping the water from his cheek with a handkerchief. "It's good to see you so relaxed, big brother. I worry about how much work you do."

"Someone has to keep food on the table." He replied, giving a rare smile to his beloved sister.

Without further comment she stretched out beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. He put a hand on her head, stroking her hair absentmindedly. It would have surprised almost everyone who knew Vash to see him this way, quiet and happy. For a country constantly on his guard against the world, it was a refreshing break from the norm to simply be.