Profession: mob enforcer & chauffeur for the Black Lions
Height: 5 ft. 10 in.
Physique: thickset and heavy, but well-muscled and very strong.
Story Role: Potential Love Interest
Backstory: Alexei grew up running wild through the streets and alleyways of Novograd with Yazov, his father's ward. They got into a lot of trouble together as kids and teens, and always had each others' backs. They've fooled around together in their youth, and Alexei has harbored feelings for his partner in crime for quite a while… but, unsure of whether or not Yazov reciprocates those feelings, he has kept quiet about them for fear of rocking the boat and ruining their friends with semi-frequent benefits relationship status.
Personality: Alexei is easygoing and very chill. He is quick to laugh and make jokes to ease any kind of tense situation, and prefers to keep the focus away from himself and his thoughts, feelings, and opinions. He's good at keeping secrets and wearing an affable mask; he's the type of person you might feel that you can tell anything to… which is exactly what he wants you to think.
Age: 74 (Earth years)
Gender: cis male
Sexuality: heterosexual
Place of Birth: Novograd, Europa
Current Residence: Novograd, Europa
Profession: patriarch of the Black Lions gang
Height: 6 ft. 0 in.
Physique: walks with a strong, upright posture befitting a younger man, but his back always hurts and he's much more frail than he once was.
Story Role: NPC
Backstory: Sergei was once a good citizen of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Europa… until his wife was kidnapped by the authorities and sent to a labor camp for anti-Soviet thought. Now a middle-aged father looking after his only child, Viktor, Sergei turned to the criminal underworld. He would do whatever it took to liberate his wife from prison, including rising through the ranks as an informant, and then a smuggler, and finally the leader of a new gang that grew quickly in power. But it wasn't enough; by the time Sergei had enough influence to threaten a camp guard into freeing Olga, he discovered that his wife had died (allegedly from an accident, but more likely from starvation). Viktor, his sheltered son, died in prison as well. Now an embittered patriarch with a dead wife and son, the only family Sergei has left lies within the ranks of the criminal organization he has built.
Personality: Sergei is very good at adopting a warm, fatherly attitude. He makes his children within the Black Lion gang feel special; many of the younger gang members hunger for his approval and attention, and compete among themselves to earn them. However, behind this fatherly veneer is a cold, calculating mind that is as ruthless and uncompromising as a cornered pit viper. It isn't wise to cross Sergei, and even less wise to convince him that you aren't useful in the long-term.
Age: 33 (Earth years)
Gender: cis male
Sexuality: homosexual
Place of Birth: Novograd, Europa
Current Residence: Novograd, Europa
Ethnicity: German
Profession: medic & doctor for the Black Lions
Height: 5 ft. 10 in.
Physique: thin and under-muscled (he frequently forgets to eat and doesn't work out much)
Story Role: Potential Love Interest
Backstory: Niklas grew up as a prim and proper member of the East German enclave within Novograd. As an only child, he attended educational youth camps with a focus on science. His parents pressured him towards aerospace engineering, but Niklas' true calling was always medicine. He excelled in the Kruschev School of Medicine, and was expected to go into the armed forces due to his interest in trauma-focused surgery and first aid… but, once again, Niklas proved everyone wrong. Forever tender-hearted, he had his doctorate revoked and was disowned by his family for offering pro bono medical aid to undesirables such as prostitutes and unemployed homeless people who didn't conform to communist productivity ideals. Now adrift, Niklas was taken under Sergei's wing and made a member of the Black Lions in exchange for his services as a medical practitioner.
Personality: Niklas is perpetually grumpy and rarely has a kind word for anyone, but if you ignore that sharp tongue of his you'll notice that his hands are always gentle. He's the type of doctor who will notice you flinch or grimace in discomfort and give you another painkiller without judgment… provided he thinks you aren't going to tear your stitches right back open! Niklas has had a bit of a crush on Alexei and Yazov for quite a while, which manifests as keeping an eye on both mobsters and making sure they receive the best possible care. However, Niklas isn't especially good with making his feelings known, and as such it's unlikely that either of the Russians are aware of their German comrade's wandering heart.
Age: 26 (Earth years)
Gender: cis female
Sexuality: bisexual
Place of Birth: Novograd, Europa
Current Residence: Novograd, Europa
Ethnicity: Russian
Profession: police detective
Height: 5 ft. 4 in.
Physique: lithe yet strong
Story Role: NPC
Backstory: Yulia grew up in an orphanage in Novograd, where her insatiable sense of justice led her to protect the younger children from bullies and do her best to ensure that everyone had enough to eat. She formed her first relationship here with another girl named Oksana. After graduating from the orphanage and completing her military service, it was only natural for Yulia to enter the police force with the goal of making a difference in peoples' lives. She entered a polyamorous relationship with Oksana and Oksana's husband, Stanislav, which came to an abrupt end following Oksana's death—this tragedy occurred during a break-in burglary when Oksana was home alone with her toddler son, Maksim. Stanislav and Yulia returned home to find Oksana dead on the kitchen floor and Maksim nowhere to be found, and presumed him kidnapped. Yulia is currently working herself into the ground attempting to find her girlfriend's son, and is uncovering a larger ring of similar murders and kidnappings as she goes… She met and had a one night stand with Alexei during the course of her investigations, which led to her continued involvement with the Black Lions.
Personality: Yulia believes in justice and creating a more equitable world the way Christian zealots of the medieval era of Old Earth believed in God. She cannot be corrupted and will never take a bribe… which has gotten her into trouble on multiple occasions, since she lives in a highly corrupt society. Her character arc revolves around her setting aside her ideals and realizing that the law will never be just, and therefore playing by the rules will not help her achieve her goals of saving Maksim and helping the population of Novograd. Her personal taste runs towards austerity, and she never wears jewelry or makeup if she can help it. She has no tattoos.
