Post by Dresden Ravenskraft on Jun 3, 2017 2:33:11 GMT -5
RAVENSKRAFT, DRESDEN
Echt Quincy, unaffiliated
[ OVERVIEW ]
Age: 28 (physical), 300+ (actual)
Birthdate: December 1, 1714
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual (currently asexual)
Height & Weight: 5'11" (181 cm), 160 lbs (173 kg)
Hair & Eye Color: Dark, almost-black hair, complete heterochromia iridum: pale blue (left eye), brown (right eye)
Marital Status: Single (widower)
Blood Type: A-
Positive Traits: Determined, focused, committed to justice, treats others honorably, lives by his principles
Negative Traits: Cold, overly-reserved, guilt-stricken, values pragmatism and logic to the detriment of emotional expression
Loyalties: Himself
Previous Loyalties: Ravenskraft family, the Church, Quincy Council, Imperial Japanese Army, Nazi Party
Occupation: Bartender
Base of Operations: Düsseldorf, Germany
[ PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ]
Appearance: Despite his true age, Dresden appears to be in his mid to late-twenties, which is the point at which he became ageless. He is fairly tall, standing slightly above average, and possesses what would be described as a swimmer’s build: Along with his stature, he has broad shoulders, a tapered, flat torso, and long limbs. While he is quite muscular for his lean build, his emphasis on all-around cardiovascular fitness and stamina has led to high levels of well-defined tone as opposed to bulk. Even though his wiry frame at first seems unimpressive, the he years spent honing his fighting abilities have given him an instinctive edge, as his body can respond automatically in the heat of combat if need be. A more adverse result of his significant experience are the numerous scars he has received in past battles. Many of these have faded, however, as he has tried his best to avoid violent confrontations in recent years.
Dresden’s features have remained virtually unchanged since he matured nearly three hundred years ago. Considering his build and angular face, his general appearance has been described as “northern Germanic.” Dresden has prominent cheek bones, a sharp jawline, elegant chin, and a refined nose bordering on the aquiline. His eyebrows are elegant and sit somewhat closely above narrow, square-shaped eyes that meet at triangular points. His complexion is light, and he has dark brown hair which he keeps somewhat long and unkempt. However, his most striking feature is the differentiated color of his eyes, medically described as complete heterochromia iridum. Originally, both of Dresden’s eyes were dark brown, but after undergoing the ritual that granted him immortality his left eye became pale blue. For practical purposes he occasionally wears a contact lens so that both eyes match in color, as this enables him to blend more easily within a crowd. Normally, however, he simply ignores the slight shock upon making eye-contact with others as he has grown accustomed to their stares.
Style of Dress: Throughout the centuries, Dresden’s style of dress has changed drastically as he generally attempts to match the style of the era. Dresden prefers more formal clothing and is seldom seen without at least a suit jacket, as he finds the style nostalgic and comfortable. Nonetheless, he tries to remain as inconspicuous as possible and typically opts for average designs and dark colors. While he has a refined sense of taste and is usually well-dressed, time often slips by without his notice and he finds himself wearing clothes that are ten years out of date, or in outfits that seem too “old” for his age. Due to his current occupation his most typical outfit is his bartender’s uniform, complete with a black apron and tie. The manager of his café assured him that the tie was optional, but Dresden wears it anyway, demonstrating his professionalism.
General Demeanor: Comporting himself with an air of severity that reflects his reserved nature, Dresden’s posture is so stiff that he was at one point described by another Quincy as a stiff himself. Although he rarely smiles and seldom uses gestures in conversation, Dresden maintains direct eye-contact as a form of respect. His formality carries over into his manner of speech, as Dresden is frank, concise, and to-the-point. While he speaks several languages, his soft German accent carries over into all of them, although it is not overly-distinct and certainly not “harsh.” On the few occasions that he allows himself to relax, he will steal off on his own to smoke a cigarette or two, a habit he picked up ever since his wife’s death. As such, he usually carries a simply metal lighter with him, which can serve as a Gintou capsule itself should the need arise.
Spiritual Presence: At first it would seem as though Dresden had an average amount of Reiatsu. However, most of what can be felt from his presence is not his own spiritual pressure but rather residual amounts of Reishi that he has absorbed during the use of his Quincy abilities. His Reiatsu, like most Quincy, is light-blue and feels slightly cold when released. Formerly, Dresden possessed a much higher level of spiritual pressure, but after he lost his powers his Reiatsu is now possibly no higher than that of a low-ranking Soldat.
[ BENEATH THE SURFACE ]
Personality: At first glance, Dresden appears to be serious, reserved, and perhaps a little reticent in his demeanor. He possesses a sharp intellect and is quick to comprehend a situation. He is loyal, responsible, and determined. Somewhat of a perfectionist, he prefers to work alone as he is patient with complicated situations regarding fact, but seldom when values conflict. But he can also have a strong sense of camaraderie if he believes strongly in a cause. Academically speaking, he is willing and motivated to gain the necessary training in order to improve, and he has natural interest in intellectual matters. (One of his favorite pastimes is chess, and he has a remarkable capacity for language.) In speech, he tends to be rather direct and straight to the point, but his verbal expression does not usually reflect his inner thoughts and feelings. Because of this, he finds that he has a hard time establishing an emotional connection with others. This leaves him tense and serious in character, furthering the misconception that he is cold and uncaring towards others. In reality, he has an incredible inward capacity to care deeply and passionately for others, and his profound sense of honor, (derived from his personal values and internal morality) which drives him to make unusual sacrifices, going to great lengths for a greater cause. He believes that everything in life has a purpose, and nothing happens without a reason. This results in an unseen level of compassion and sympathy towards others, even those who seem the least deserving of mercy. His extreme depth of feeling is often hidden, even from himself, until circumstances evoke an impassioned response.
He is altruistic and an optimist, but this does not mean he is disconnected from reality. He can also be very practical, hoping for something better and yet realizing that good things do not often come without work or pain. He struggles with his own ethical duty, worrying that he has not done enough for the greater cause. This feeling has prompted him to become involved in the lives of normal Humans over the centuries, even if it would have been wiser to remain uninvolved. Dresden is brave to his core, and will not hesitate in challenging injustice. He does not get along with inconsistent, weak-willed, or narrow minded individuals. He hates and defies tyrants and oppressors. This was most evident by the way he felt towards the Church, as he became discontent in defending a flawed system. He understands that as long as men are rational beings with the ability to choose their own actions, there will always be some degree of cruelty and injustice in the world. What he cannot and must not condone however, is this same injustice becoming justified and institutionalized. These systems are not ones that he can stand idly by and advocate. He may tolerate them, he may live under them, but he must work steadily to change them. He believes firmly in individual freedom, responsibility, persuasion and cooperation in opposition to the doctrines of coercion, collectivism, entitlement, envy and violence.
Dresden is determined, responsible, and focused, but can also be impetuous and passionate at times, preferring to do things differently but often taking irrational chances. When both idealism and intellectualism are present in the same person, such as with Dresden, it can create internal contradictions and inconsistencies. Idealism does not analyze the world — it sees the overall pattern of it; and skepticism analyzes data from the world, without seeing the big picture. This causes Dresden to constantly swing back and forth between incredible foresight and crippling short-sightedness. He can be both wise and visionary as well as blind and unobservant. In all things, he becomes stubborn when an ideal is struck at and violated. When he is decided on a matter, his is an unwavering resolution.
This deep commitment to principle also causes him to be perceptive of evil. In this manner he walks a thin line, always looking towards what is honorable and intrinsically good in life, but forever being hounded by the dark and desecrated that looms just behind his shoulder. He once almost yielded to the darkness, and he cannot deny the fact that it will always be there. It rises to the surface when an ideal or a principle takes precedence over human life. When the goal is so vital he forgets that the morality of the means matter just as much as the end result. He focuses only on the task at hand, and is blinded by his "tunnel vision," unable to see where his actions are really leading him.
Goals & Achievements: Dresden is, above all, an idealist. To be concerned about his own circumstance would be selfish, he must always put the greater cause first. He believes his calling in life is to help others. Doing a good deed, for example, may provide intrinsic satisfaction which is only secondary to the greater good of “striking a blow against man's inhumanity to mankind.” Even if a certain goal seems ideal, if it requires immoral means to reach the ends they profess he will reject it entirely. He is still plagued by guilt over his involvement in the Nazi Party, blaming himself for not having the foresight or wisdom to suspect what was happening. He often chides himself, saying that “To achieve the greater good—the means are just as important as the ends. It is the means that tell us where we are headed."
[ DAS FEUER ]
Quincy Cross: It would seem that Dresden was fated to outlast even the foci of his spiritual abilities, as he has been forced to replace his Quincy Cross several times over the centuries. His first cross was formed of silver and adorned with elaborate fleur-de-lis at the base of each arm. While the Ravenskraft family was Protestant, the cross had originally belonged to his Catholic mother and as such bore a small figure of Christ crucified fixed to the center. Dresden eventually gave up the cross when he abandoned the Church, and for sometime afterwards he simply used a series of makeshift pendants as foci. After meeting Huang Liu, Dresden was given a cross that served as an insignia for the International Quincy Delegation, although he would later return the cross when they terminated their friendship. Following this, Dresden used the cross that had formerly belonged to his daughter until the small, simple pendant was destroyed at the end of WWII. This cross would prove to be his most significant, as he had carried it with him as a momento of her death. Since then, Dresden has used the 1st class Iron Cross that he was awarded as a result of his efforts in the siege of Moscow. Rather than a mark of pride, however, the medal serves as a reminder of the guilt and shame he continues to bear for his involvement in history and the loss of his powers.
Aufsaugen Gloves (Quincy Bangle): After losing his powers due to the use of Letzter Stil, Dresden found he was incapable of absorbing or manipulating Reishi on his own. In order to compensate for this, he designed a pair of Aufsaugen gloves (German for “intake”) that function as a Quincy Bangle, which allows him to draw in Reishi from the surrounding environment in imitation of his natural abilities. The gloves themselves were constructed with Gintou in a form of soul-synthesized cloth and are incredibly durable as a result, capable of withstanding repeated incineration by Dresden’s Heilig Feuer witout being consumed. The gloves are white, and each has a pentagram on the back to channel Reishi through a spiritual matrix.
Spirit Weapon: Perhaps due to the focus of his powers lying within his Aufsaugen gloves, Dresden does not use a traditional spirit weapon and in fact appears incapable of forming Reishi into a bow. Instead, he uses an actual, physical weapon in combat. The Luger P08 is a semi-automatic handgun that Dresden acquired during WWII and quickly became attached to. It was his weapon of choice after losing his Quincy powers and he has trained extensively in its use. With an eight round detachable box magazine, Dresden is proficient enough to where he can reload swiftly and easily within seconds. He also reloads some of his own cartridges, and instead of fitting a solid metal bullet to the end of the cartridge, he uses small Gintō capsules. With some ingenuity he has designed the bullets so that they do not collapse when fired, despite being hollow. When the bullet contacts a target, the forceful impact causes the capsule to rupture and the highly condensed Reishi to explode. He uses these special cartridges when fighting against Hollows or Shinigami, as he finds the use of a Reishi-based weapon is more damaging than a purely physical one against spiritual beings. Since the process of constructing these bullets is so time-intensive, Dresden only has a few clips of Gintō cartridges and as such only uses them as a last resort.
Quincy: Zerreizen: Dresden was “gifted” with immortality through means of a secret ritual that utilizes a Quincy’s innate ability to obliterate spiritual constructs. Zerreizen allows Quincy to live for an indeterminate length of time, and while they are significantly more resilient than normal Quincy, they can still be killed like any other being. Dresden initially despised the fact that he could no longer age, even though he gradually came to accept his immortality as normative. Zerreizen did not grant Dresden invincibility or any other abilities, but it was the ritual that has allowed him to persist for three hundred years in the world of the living.
Schrift: die Entfernung: (German for “expulsion” or “excision”). Over the years, Dresden is an individual who has been repeatedly exposed to loss. Beginning with the ties to his clan, which were razed to the ground along with the Ravenskraft estate, Dresden has found that he has been forced to periodically excise himself from everything he held dear and to recreate from the ashes again and again. His Schrift was thus born of a desire to purify himself from the demons of pain and remorse. It is also related to his power as a Quincy, as his fire serves to “cleanse” whatever it touches: bringing about utter destruction in an attempt to sanctify.
Power: Quincy with advanced abilities are able to manipulate a variant of Heilig Pfiel known as Heilig Feuer, which can be used to burn away and purify whatever it touches. Once, Dresden professed complete dominance over the use of this “holy fire.” His skill was such that he was able to call immense conflagrations into being, with enough control to constrict the actual damage to a small target within the apparent inferno. After the loss of his powers, Dresden is only able to generate sputtering bursts of flame in place of a Quincy's standard Heilig Pfiel. Unique to his flames is their apparent lack of heat, as they are extremely cold. Allegedly feeding upon the ignition of ambient Reishi itself, this property allows Dresden to “cut away” or expunge rather than completely incinerate his targets. This also means the flames are inextinguishable by normal means. In reality, the reason why no heat can be detected from the blue fire is due to its intense, concentrated heat, which paradoxically disrupts normal sensations of temperature.
[ HISTORY ]
Snapshots
The Ravenskraft Heir
Heart of the Holy Agent
Twilight of Peace
Joy and Sorrow
Iron Cross to Carry
Echt Quincy, unaffiliated
“To be honest, I don't understand how I was able to remain “human” over all these years, especially after watching everyone die around me, one after the other... In the end, the only way I could live was by finding my purpose in each small step, doing the insignificant—every little measure in striking a blow against man’s inhumanity to mankind.”
[ OVERVIEW ]
Age: 28 (physical), 300+ (actual)
Birthdate: December 1, 1714
Gender: Male
Sexuality: Heterosexual (currently asexual)
Height & Weight: 5'11" (181 cm), 160 lbs (173 kg)
Hair & Eye Color: Dark, almost-black hair, complete heterochromia iridum: pale blue (left eye), brown (right eye)
Marital Status: Single (widower)
Blood Type: A-
Positive Traits: Determined, focused, committed to justice, treats others honorably, lives by his principles
Negative Traits: Cold, overly-reserved, guilt-stricken, values pragmatism and logic to the detriment of emotional expression
Loyalties: Himself
Previous Loyalties: Ravenskraft family, the Church, Quincy Council, Imperial Japanese Army, Nazi Party
Occupation: Bartender
Base of Operations: Düsseldorf, Germany
[ PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ]
Appearance: Despite his true age, Dresden appears to be in his mid to late-twenties, which is the point at which he became ageless. He is fairly tall, standing slightly above average, and possesses what would be described as a swimmer’s build: Along with his stature, he has broad shoulders, a tapered, flat torso, and long limbs. While he is quite muscular for his lean build, his emphasis on all-around cardiovascular fitness and stamina has led to high levels of well-defined tone as opposed to bulk. Even though his wiry frame at first seems unimpressive, the he years spent honing his fighting abilities have given him an instinctive edge, as his body can respond automatically in the heat of combat if need be. A more adverse result of his significant experience are the numerous scars he has received in past battles. Many of these have faded, however, as he has tried his best to avoid violent confrontations in recent years.
Dresden’s features have remained virtually unchanged since he matured nearly three hundred years ago. Considering his build and angular face, his general appearance has been described as “northern Germanic.” Dresden has prominent cheek bones, a sharp jawline, elegant chin, and a refined nose bordering on the aquiline. His eyebrows are elegant and sit somewhat closely above narrow, square-shaped eyes that meet at triangular points. His complexion is light, and he has dark brown hair which he keeps somewhat long and unkempt. However, his most striking feature is the differentiated color of his eyes, medically described as complete heterochromia iridum. Originally, both of Dresden’s eyes were dark brown, but after undergoing the ritual that granted him immortality his left eye became pale blue. For practical purposes he occasionally wears a contact lens so that both eyes match in color, as this enables him to blend more easily within a crowd. Normally, however, he simply ignores the slight shock upon making eye-contact with others as he has grown accustomed to their stares.
Style of Dress: Throughout the centuries, Dresden’s style of dress has changed drastically as he generally attempts to match the style of the era. Dresden prefers more formal clothing and is seldom seen without at least a suit jacket, as he finds the style nostalgic and comfortable. Nonetheless, he tries to remain as inconspicuous as possible and typically opts for average designs and dark colors. While he has a refined sense of taste and is usually well-dressed, time often slips by without his notice and he finds himself wearing clothes that are ten years out of date, or in outfits that seem too “old” for his age. Due to his current occupation his most typical outfit is his bartender’s uniform, complete with a black apron and tie. The manager of his café assured him that the tie was optional, but Dresden wears it anyway, demonstrating his professionalism.
General Demeanor: Comporting himself with an air of severity that reflects his reserved nature, Dresden’s posture is so stiff that he was at one point described by another Quincy as a stiff himself. Although he rarely smiles and seldom uses gestures in conversation, Dresden maintains direct eye-contact as a form of respect. His formality carries over into his manner of speech, as Dresden is frank, concise, and to-the-point. While he speaks several languages, his soft German accent carries over into all of them, although it is not overly-distinct and certainly not “harsh.” On the few occasions that he allows himself to relax, he will steal off on his own to smoke a cigarette or two, a habit he picked up ever since his wife’s death. As such, he usually carries a simply metal lighter with him, which can serve as a Gintou capsule itself should the need arise.
Spiritual Presence: At first it would seem as though Dresden had an average amount of Reiatsu. However, most of what can be felt from his presence is not his own spiritual pressure but rather residual amounts of Reishi that he has absorbed during the use of his Quincy abilities. His Reiatsu, like most Quincy, is light-blue and feels slightly cold when released. Formerly, Dresden possessed a much higher level of spiritual pressure, but after he lost his powers his Reiatsu is now possibly no higher than that of a low-ranking Soldat.
[ BENEATH THE SURFACE ]
Personality: At first glance, Dresden appears to be serious, reserved, and perhaps a little reticent in his demeanor. He possesses a sharp intellect and is quick to comprehend a situation. He is loyal, responsible, and determined. Somewhat of a perfectionist, he prefers to work alone as he is patient with complicated situations regarding fact, but seldom when values conflict. But he can also have a strong sense of camaraderie if he believes strongly in a cause. Academically speaking, he is willing and motivated to gain the necessary training in order to improve, and he has natural interest in intellectual matters. (One of his favorite pastimes is chess, and he has a remarkable capacity for language.) In speech, he tends to be rather direct and straight to the point, but his verbal expression does not usually reflect his inner thoughts and feelings. Because of this, he finds that he has a hard time establishing an emotional connection with others. This leaves him tense and serious in character, furthering the misconception that he is cold and uncaring towards others. In reality, he has an incredible inward capacity to care deeply and passionately for others, and his profound sense of honor, (derived from his personal values and internal morality) which drives him to make unusual sacrifices, going to great lengths for a greater cause. He believes that everything in life has a purpose, and nothing happens without a reason. This results in an unseen level of compassion and sympathy towards others, even those who seem the least deserving of mercy. His extreme depth of feeling is often hidden, even from himself, until circumstances evoke an impassioned response.
He is altruistic and an optimist, but this does not mean he is disconnected from reality. He can also be very practical, hoping for something better and yet realizing that good things do not often come without work or pain. He struggles with his own ethical duty, worrying that he has not done enough for the greater cause. This feeling has prompted him to become involved in the lives of normal Humans over the centuries, even if it would have been wiser to remain uninvolved. Dresden is brave to his core, and will not hesitate in challenging injustice. He does not get along with inconsistent, weak-willed, or narrow minded individuals. He hates and defies tyrants and oppressors. This was most evident by the way he felt towards the Church, as he became discontent in defending a flawed system. He understands that as long as men are rational beings with the ability to choose their own actions, there will always be some degree of cruelty and injustice in the world. What he cannot and must not condone however, is this same injustice becoming justified and institutionalized. These systems are not ones that he can stand idly by and advocate. He may tolerate them, he may live under them, but he must work steadily to change them. He believes firmly in individual freedom, responsibility, persuasion and cooperation in opposition to the doctrines of coercion, collectivism, entitlement, envy and violence.
Dresden is determined, responsible, and focused, but can also be impetuous and passionate at times, preferring to do things differently but often taking irrational chances. When both idealism and intellectualism are present in the same person, such as with Dresden, it can create internal contradictions and inconsistencies. Idealism does not analyze the world — it sees the overall pattern of it; and skepticism analyzes data from the world, without seeing the big picture. This causes Dresden to constantly swing back and forth between incredible foresight and crippling short-sightedness. He can be both wise and visionary as well as blind and unobservant. In all things, he becomes stubborn when an ideal is struck at and violated. When he is decided on a matter, his is an unwavering resolution.
This deep commitment to principle also causes him to be perceptive of evil. In this manner he walks a thin line, always looking towards what is honorable and intrinsically good in life, but forever being hounded by the dark and desecrated that looms just behind his shoulder. He once almost yielded to the darkness, and he cannot deny the fact that it will always be there. It rises to the surface when an ideal or a principle takes precedence over human life. When the goal is so vital he forgets that the morality of the means matter just as much as the end result. He focuses only on the task at hand, and is blinded by his "tunnel vision," unable to see where his actions are really leading him.
Goals & Achievements: Dresden is, above all, an idealist. To be concerned about his own circumstance would be selfish, he must always put the greater cause first. He believes his calling in life is to help others. Doing a good deed, for example, may provide intrinsic satisfaction which is only secondary to the greater good of “striking a blow against man's inhumanity to mankind.” Even if a certain goal seems ideal, if it requires immoral means to reach the ends they profess he will reject it entirely. He is still plagued by guilt over his involvement in the Nazi Party, blaming himself for not having the foresight or wisdom to suspect what was happening. He often chides himself, saying that “To achieve the greater good—the means are just as important as the ends. It is the means that tell us where we are headed."
[ DAS FEUER ]
Quincy Cross: It would seem that Dresden was fated to outlast even the foci of his spiritual abilities, as he has been forced to replace his Quincy Cross several times over the centuries. His first cross was formed of silver and adorned with elaborate fleur-de-lis at the base of each arm. While the Ravenskraft family was Protestant, the cross had originally belonged to his Catholic mother and as such bore a small figure of Christ crucified fixed to the center. Dresden eventually gave up the cross when he abandoned the Church, and for sometime afterwards he simply used a series of makeshift pendants as foci. After meeting Huang Liu, Dresden was given a cross that served as an insignia for the International Quincy Delegation, although he would later return the cross when they terminated their friendship. Following this, Dresden used the cross that had formerly belonged to his daughter until the small, simple pendant was destroyed at the end of WWII. This cross would prove to be his most significant, as he had carried it with him as a momento of her death. Since then, Dresden has used the 1st class Iron Cross that he was awarded as a result of his efforts in the siege of Moscow. Rather than a mark of pride, however, the medal serves as a reminder of the guilt and shame he continues to bear for his involvement in history and the loss of his powers.
Aufsaugen Gloves (Quincy Bangle): After losing his powers due to the use of Letzter Stil, Dresden found he was incapable of absorbing or manipulating Reishi on his own. In order to compensate for this, he designed a pair of Aufsaugen gloves (German for “intake”) that function as a Quincy Bangle, which allows him to draw in Reishi from the surrounding environment in imitation of his natural abilities. The gloves themselves were constructed with Gintou in a form of soul-synthesized cloth and are incredibly durable as a result, capable of withstanding repeated incineration by Dresden’s Heilig Feuer witout being consumed. The gloves are white, and each has a pentagram on the back to channel Reishi through a spiritual matrix.
Spirit Weapon: Perhaps due to the focus of his powers lying within his Aufsaugen gloves, Dresden does not use a traditional spirit weapon and in fact appears incapable of forming Reishi into a bow. Instead, he uses an actual, physical weapon in combat. The Luger P08 is a semi-automatic handgun that Dresden acquired during WWII and quickly became attached to. It was his weapon of choice after losing his Quincy powers and he has trained extensively in its use. With an eight round detachable box magazine, Dresden is proficient enough to where he can reload swiftly and easily within seconds. He also reloads some of his own cartridges, and instead of fitting a solid metal bullet to the end of the cartridge, he uses small Gintō capsules. With some ingenuity he has designed the bullets so that they do not collapse when fired, despite being hollow. When the bullet contacts a target, the forceful impact causes the capsule to rupture and the highly condensed Reishi to explode. He uses these special cartridges when fighting against Hollows or Shinigami, as he finds the use of a Reishi-based weapon is more damaging than a purely physical one against spiritual beings. Since the process of constructing these bullets is so time-intensive, Dresden only has a few clips of Gintō cartridges and as such only uses them as a last resort.
Quincy: Zerreizen: Dresden was “gifted” with immortality through means of a secret ritual that utilizes a Quincy’s innate ability to obliterate spiritual constructs. Zerreizen allows Quincy to live for an indeterminate length of time, and while they are significantly more resilient than normal Quincy, they can still be killed like any other being. Dresden initially despised the fact that he could no longer age, even though he gradually came to accept his immortality as normative. Zerreizen did not grant Dresden invincibility or any other abilities, but it was the ritual that has allowed him to persist for three hundred years in the world of the living.
Schrift: die Entfernung: (German for “expulsion” or “excision”). Over the years, Dresden is an individual who has been repeatedly exposed to loss. Beginning with the ties to his clan, which were razed to the ground along with the Ravenskraft estate, Dresden has found that he has been forced to periodically excise himself from everything he held dear and to recreate from the ashes again and again. His Schrift was thus born of a desire to purify himself from the demons of pain and remorse. It is also related to his power as a Quincy, as his fire serves to “cleanse” whatever it touches: bringing about utter destruction in an attempt to sanctify.
Power: Quincy with advanced abilities are able to manipulate a variant of Heilig Pfiel known as Heilig Feuer, which can be used to burn away and purify whatever it touches. Once, Dresden professed complete dominance over the use of this “holy fire.” His skill was such that he was able to call immense conflagrations into being, with enough control to constrict the actual damage to a small target within the apparent inferno. After the loss of his powers, Dresden is only able to generate sputtering bursts of flame in place of a Quincy's standard Heilig Pfiel. Unique to his flames is their apparent lack of heat, as they are extremely cold. Allegedly feeding upon the ignition of ambient Reishi itself, this property allows Dresden to “cut away” or expunge rather than completely incinerate his targets. This also means the flames are inextinguishable by normal means. In reality, the reason why no heat can be detected from the blue fire is due to its intense, concentrated heat, which paradoxically disrupts normal sensations of temperature.
[ HISTORY ]
Snapshots
- Born in Germany (1714)
- Commissioned by the Church, became immortal (1742)
- Moved to Japan and married Naoko Miyake, a fellow Quincy (1901)
- Became a Wehrmacht officer in Nazi Germany (1936)
- Lost powers as a Quincy and fled to Soviet Russia (1945)
- Returned to Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)
The Ravenskraft Heir
Dresden was born into the Ravenskraft household almost a hundred years after the Culling. In earlier times, the Ravenskraft had been one of the most prominent Quincy households in Germany, but like all clans of that era their bloodline had dwindled following the purge. With Echt Quincy being few in number, Friedrich Ravenskraft, Dresden’s father, had been left with no other choice but to marry Katarina von Albright, a Quincy from a rival clan. Aside from the tension that existed between the two families, problems also arose when it was discovered that Katarina was in love with Lütold, a Quincy vassal who served at her father’s estate. Questions of Dresden’s legitimacy soon arose after their affair was found out, and in a rather cruel act of irony Friedrich named Dresden after the city in which Katarina and Lütold’s tryst allegedly took place.
Dresden began his training in the spiritual arts at an early age and was also provided with a normal education fitting of a nobleman’s son, which included instruction in both the sciences and the arts as well as fencing, Latin, French, and marksmanship. As was common for the era, his father was a strict disciplinarian, and respect for authority was thus ingrained within his mentality from a young age. Since both parents were concerned with the matters of their clans, Dresden was deprived of their attention and spent most days alone.
When Dresden was seven, the Great Northern War that had been ongoing for twenty years finally came to an end, which signaled a slight change in political alignment that led to even greater tension between the Ravenskraft and Albright clans. In reality, the Albrights were part of the remnant Royalists that had persisted since the Culling: a sect of Quincy who advocated for the installment of another monarch following the establishment of the Council. While they had gained the Council’s ear, the main hindrance in their bid for power were the Ravenskrafts, who held certain influence within the Council despite their small numbers. Eventually, it seemed that the only thing maintaining stability was Friedrich and Katarina’s tenuous marriage: a thread which snapped when Katarina ran away with her lover.
The two were later found dead near the Austrian border, and it was immediately assumed that Friedrich had murdered them. In fact, it was her own family who had killed her, as the Albrights intended to frame Friedrich for Katarina’s death and thus instigate the downfall of the Ravenskraft. Their plan failed, however, as Lütold had known of their plot and had sacrificed himself in an attempt to save her. Because of Lütold’s presence in the adulterous affair, the Council perceived their deaths to be a rightful act of vengeance carried out on Friedrich’s part. He was acquitted and maintained his seat on the Council, thus foiling the Albright’s schemes.
Dresden, however, continued blame his father for his mother’s death. Believing Friedrich to be a murderer, the distance between father and son only grew as the years passed. Rejecting his father’s offer to tutor him, Dresden attempted to teach himself the noble arts of the Quincy, which was a largely unsuccessful endeavor. While he still respected his father’s authority, he was blinded to the fact that Friedrich had attempted to reach out to him following Katarina’s death, perhaps as a way to make amends. His son’s coldness hurt him deeply, but he only responded by growing even more strict.
It was at this time that Ansgar Bohm, a fellow Quincy and member of the Catholic clergy, began to visit the Ravenskraft estate. Ansgar was a close friend of Friedrich’s as they had both fought together in their younger days. He began to train Dresden in the Quincy arts by discretely providing a basic instruction or example during his infrequent visits and allowing the boy to figure out the rest on his own. While this helped Dresden to progress initially, his skills plateaued after mastering his Heilig Pfiel and basic Hirenkyaku, and Ansgar eventually lost interest in teaching him.
Dresden began attending the University of Strasbourg at the age of seventeen, as Friedrich had insisted that he study at a more traditional university outside of Germany in order to prepare him for civil service. While at Strasbourg, Dresden became enamored with the principles of humanism and was soon caught up in the political frenzy surrounding the complicated issue of the Polish succession, which quickly drew central Europe into another war. When France attacked Austria, Dresden decided to join the resistance and left Strasbourg to fight for the Hapsburgs. He took part in several notable battles across the Rhineland, having joined under a pseudonym to keep his identity as a noble hidden. He stood alongside common soldiers and fought valiantly for two years before he was severely wounded in northern Italy just before the war’s conclusion. When Dresden’s identity was revealed he was discharged by his officer and forced to return to Prussia in shame.
Dresden’s involvement in the war violated one of the Council’s stipulations that Quincy be disallowed from participating in the battles of normal humans. As such, his transgression compromised the Ravenskraft’s position in the Council, thereby allowing the Albright clan to take advantage of the situation. In an attempt to spare Dresden, Friedrich disowned him from the clan, but Dresden refused to leave and demanded to know the truth behind his mother’s death. When Friedrich did not answer, Dresden attacked but was quickly bested by his father despite the latter’s age and banished from the clan.
As he rode away from the estate, he was passed on the road by a detachment of hooded Quincy in azure cloaks, and while his knowledge of the Council’s inner workings was limited, Dresden realized that they had been sent by the Albright. He rushed back to warn his father but discovered that the castle had been set ablaze. Recklessly fighting through the flames, Dresden managed to reach his father, but found he was too late. Having been mortally wounded, Friedrich entrusted Dresden with Katarina’s cross and his final words revealed how, despite all his faults, he had truly loved his wife and son. Dresden barely escaped from the castle before it collapsed, and as he watched the fire die out he succumbed to his grief.
Dresden began his training in the spiritual arts at an early age and was also provided with a normal education fitting of a nobleman’s son, which included instruction in both the sciences and the arts as well as fencing, Latin, French, and marksmanship. As was common for the era, his father was a strict disciplinarian, and respect for authority was thus ingrained within his mentality from a young age. Since both parents were concerned with the matters of their clans, Dresden was deprived of their attention and spent most days alone.
When Dresden was seven, the Great Northern War that had been ongoing for twenty years finally came to an end, which signaled a slight change in political alignment that led to even greater tension between the Ravenskraft and Albright clans. In reality, the Albrights were part of the remnant Royalists that had persisted since the Culling: a sect of Quincy who advocated for the installment of another monarch following the establishment of the Council. While they had gained the Council’s ear, the main hindrance in their bid for power were the Ravenskrafts, who held certain influence within the Council despite their small numbers. Eventually, it seemed that the only thing maintaining stability was Friedrich and Katarina’s tenuous marriage: a thread which snapped when Katarina ran away with her lover.
The two were later found dead near the Austrian border, and it was immediately assumed that Friedrich had murdered them. In fact, it was her own family who had killed her, as the Albrights intended to frame Friedrich for Katarina’s death and thus instigate the downfall of the Ravenskraft. Their plan failed, however, as Lütold had known of their plot and had sacrificed himself in an attempt to save her. Because of Lütold’s presence in the adulterous affair, the Council perceived their deaths to be a rightful act of vengeance carried out on Friedrich’s part. He was acquitted and maintained his seat on the Council, thus foiling the Albright’s schemes.
Dresden, however, continued blame his father for his mother’s death. Believing Friedrich to be a murderer, the distance between father and son only grew as the years passed. Rejecting his father’s offer to tutor him, Dresden attempted to teach himself the noble arts of the Quincy, which was a largely unsuccessful endeavor. While he still respected his father’s authority, he was blinded to the fact that Friedrich had attempted to reach out to him following Katarina’s death, perhaps as a way to make amends. His son’s coldness hurt him deeply, but he only responded by growing even more strict.
It was at this time that Ansgar Bohm, a fellow Quincy and member of the Catholic clergy, began to visit the Ravenskraft estate. Ansgar was a close friend of Friedrich’s as they had both fought together in their younger days. He began to train Dresden in the Quincy arts by discretely providing a basic instruction or example during his infrequent visits and allowing the boy to figure out the rest on his own. While this helped Dresden to progress initially, his skills plateaued after mastering his Heilig Pfiel and basic Hirenkyaku, and Ansgar eventually lost interest in teaching him.
Dresden began attending the University of Strasbourg at the age of seventeen, as Friedrich had insisted that he study at a more traditional university outside of Germany in order to prepare him for civil service. While at Strasbourg, Dresden became enamored with the principles of humanism and was soon caught up in the political frenzy surrounding the complicated issue of the Polish succession, which quickly drew central Europe into another war. When France attacked Austria, Dresden decided to join the resistance and left Strasbourg to fight for the Hapsburgs. He took part in several notable battles across the Rhineland, having joined under a pseudonym to keep his identity as a noble hidden. He stood alongside common soldiers and fought valiantly for two years before he was severely wounded in northern Italy just before the war’s conclusion. When Dresden’s identity was revealed he was discharged by his officer and forced to return to Prussia in shame.
Dresden’s involvement in the war violated one of the Council’s stipulations that Quincy be disallowed from participating in the battles of normal humans. As such, his transgression compromised the Ravenskraft’s position in the Council, thereby allowing the Albright clan to take advantage of the situation. In an attempt to spare Dresden, Friedrich disowned him from the clan, but Dresden refused to leave and demanded to know the truth behind his mother’s death. When Friedrich did not answer, Dresden attacked but was quickly bested by his father despite the latter’s age and banished from the clan.
As he rode away from the estate, he was passed on the road by a detachment of hooded Quincy in azure cloaks, and while his knowledge of the Council’s inner workings was limited, Dresden realized that they had been sent by the Albright. He rushed back to warn his father but discovered that the castle had been set ablaze. Recklessly fighting through the flames, Dresden managed to reach his father, but found he was too late. Having been mortally wounded, Friedrich entrusted Dresden with Katarina’s cross and his final words revealed how, despite all his faults, he had truly loved his wife and son. Dresden barely escaped from the castle before it collapsed, and as he watched the fire die out he succumbed to his grief.
Heart of the Holy Agent
Ansgar returned to the Ravenskraft estate, where he discovered Dresden at the site of the destruction and made him an offer he could not refuse: a pardon granted for his transgression against the Council, a parish to sanction him, and a purpose to fight for. With nothing left to lose, Dresden accepted and was made a member of the Church, joining under the secret order of Quincy who served as clergymen in disguise. For several years, Dresden underwent a period of brutal training that was meant to “strengthen” his soul. While he did not initially understand the purpose behind such specialized training, it was eventually revealed that Ansgar was preparing him to undergo a ritual known as Quincy: Zerreizen.
As opposed to using artificial methods of enhancing longevity through Blut or other means, Zerreizen uses the Quincy’s ability to obliterate spiritual constructs to separate the soul from its physical body in order to achieve true immortality. It takes years of training for a Quincy to become resilient enough to withstand the immense strain placed upon the soul during such a process, and as such it is believed that only Echt Quincy are capable of successfully completing Zerreizen. The technique had been banned from the Council but was still practiced by the Church in secret in order to maintain its operating number of Quincy throughout the years. Ansgar himself had undergone the ritual, and it was expected for Dresden to do the same. However, he initially rejected Zerreizen on moral grounds, as he had joined the Church to “atone” for his sin and did not desire immortality. Disregarding his wishes, Ansgar forced Dresden’s soul from his body, severed his Chain of Fate with his Spirit Weapon to stay the corrosive effects of the Hollowfication which would have otherwise poisoned Dresden’s soul, and chained him to a drawn Gintou circle in an abandoned church. After fighting off the cycles of Encroachment, a painful resistance which lasted several days for Dresden, the final corrosion of his soul chain began, at which point Ansgar shot him with a specially prepared Heilig Pfiel formed of soul-silver at an exact distance just to the right of the heart. He then resealed Dresden within his Gintou-preserved body to stabilize his soul. While Zerreizen did not grant him invincibility, from that point onward Dresden became truly ageless.
After eventually recovering his Reiatsu and mental faculties, Dresden was assigned as a holy agent of the Church. He travelled across Europe, hunting for those who went against the Quincy’s orders in order to eliminate them. Despite his cruelty, Ansgar was a good teacher, and Dresden soon perfected the use of Spirit Weapon and Quincy abilities. His skills as an assassin were even more formidable, and he cut down target after target, mercilessly carrying out the will of the Church in a hypnotic attempt to free himself of his past.
Decades passed, and as the rest of Europe watched, the French Revolution quickly slipped into the Reign of Terror. Using the bloodbath as a cover for their own advantage, the Church ordered Dresden to cross the border and assassinate a French Quincy who had turned against the Church. Formerly a clergy, the priest had refused to kill the Fullbringer orphans who had been left at his doorstep, and was instead raising the half-Hollow foundlings at the parish. While he had technically been excommunicated for this sacrilege, the priest had continued to minister: an offense punishable by death.
Dresden found his target in an obscure monastery and approached the priest while he was praying at the altar, intending to stab him to death. The priest, instead of responding in panic at the sight of the exposed blade, calmly began to ask Dresden questions regarding the state of his soul. He could barely remember anything the priest said, as Dresden had contracted a fever several days earlier, but heard the priest asking if he had come there seeking forgiveness. In a daze, Dresden rushed to attack the priest but collapsed from exhaustion and lost unconsciousness. The priest nursed him back to health, and when Dresden finally regained his strength he began to contemplate finishing his mission. But now he found such an act to be deeply repulsive, as he realized he had become one of the very monsters who had killed his father. Deeply affected, Dresden helped the priest and the Fullbringer children to escape from France and burned the monastery to the ground to make the assassination attempt seem convincing.
For twenty years following his crisis of conscience, Dresden attempted to oppose the Church’s efforts by subverting their efforts from within. This resulted in a series of botched missions, miscommunications, and the mysterious deaths of the most morally corrupt of the Quincy clergy. At last, Ansgar realized that Dresden was behind the sabotage and decided to execute his former protégé himself. But Dresden was aware of Ansgar’s intentions and intended to strike first. Their chance would at last come when they were both assigned on a mission to exterminate a Quincy spy from the Council who had joined Napolean’s army. They pursued their target into Russia, and were caught in the Battle of Borodino, the bloodiest, single-day conflict of the war. Taking advantage of the chaos, Ansgar attacked Dresden, and the two master assassins dueled each other in the midst of the human carnage. Both were experts of their art, deadly accurate, and inhumanly fast. The fight hinged on their speed alone: Dresden was known for his prowess in Hirenkyaku, but Ansgar was the one who had instructed him in its use. At last, in a sudden turn of events, Dresden was aided by a chance musket ball that pierced Ansgar’s lung, and he prevailed in killing his former tutor.
As opposed to using artificial methods of enhancing longevity through Blut or other means, Zerreizen uses the Quincy’s ability to obliterate spiritual constructs to separate the soul from its physical body in order to achieve true immortality. It takes years of training for a Quincy to become resilient enough to withstand the immense strain placed upon the soul during such a process, and as such it is believed that only Echt Quincy are capable of successfully completing Zerreizen. The technique had been banned from the Council but was still practiced by the Church in secret in order to maintain its operating number of Quincy throughout the years. Ansgar himself had undergone the ritual, and it was expected for Dresden to do the same. However, he initially rejected Zerreizen on moral grounds, as he had joined the Church to “atone” for his sin and did not desire immortality. Disregarding his wishes, Ansgar forced Dresden’s soul from his body, severed his Chain of Fate with his Spirit Weapon to stay the corrosive effects of the Hollowfication which would have otherwise poisoned Dresden’s soul, and chained him to a drawn Gintou circle in an abandoned church. After fighting off the cycles of Encroachment, a painful resistance which lasted several days for Dresden, the final corrosion of his soul chain began, at which point Ansgar shot him with a specially prepared Heilig Pfiel formed of soul-silver at an exact distance just to the right of the heart. He then resealed Dresden within his Gintou-preserved body to stabilize his soul. While Zerreizen did not grant him invincibility, from that point onward Dresden became truly ageless.
After eventually recovering his Reiatsu and mental faculties, Dresden was assigned as a holy agent of the Church. He travelled across Europe, hunting for those who went against the Quincy’s orders in order to eliminate them. Despite his cruelty, Ansgar was a good teacher, and Dresden soon perfected the use of Spirit Weapon and Quincy abilities. His skills as an assassin were even more formidable, and he cut down target after target, mercilessly carrying out the will of the Church in a hypnotic attempt to free himself of his past.
Decades passed, and as the rest of Europe watched, the French Revolution quickly slipped into the Reign of Terror. Using the bloodbath as a cover for their own advantage, the Church ordered Dresden to cross the border and assassinate a French Quincy who had turned against the Church. Formerly a clergy, the priest had refused to kill the Fullbringer orphans who had been left at his doorstep, and was instead raising the half-Hollow foundlings at the parish. While he had technically been excommunicated for this sacrilege, the priest had continued to minister: an offense punishable by death.
Dresden found his target in an obscure monastery and approached the priest while he was praying at the altar, intending to stab him to death. The priest, instead of responding in panic at the sight of the exposed blade, calmly began to ask Dresden questions regarding the state of his soul. He could barely remember anything the priest said, as Dresden had contracted a fever several days earlier, but heard the priest asking if he had come there seeking forgiveness. In a daze, Dresden rushed to attack the priest but collapsed from exhaustion and lost unconsciousness. The priest nursed him back to health, and when Dresden finally regained his strength he began to contemplate finishing his mission. But now he found such an act to be deeply repulsive, as he realized he had become one of the very monsters who had killed his father. Deeply affected, Dresden helped the priest and the Fullbringer children to escape from France and burned the monastery to the ground to make the assassination attempt seem convincing.
For twenty years following his crisis of conscience, Dresden attempted to oppose the Church’s efforts by subverting their efforts from within. This resulted in a series of botched missions, miscommunications, and the mysterious deaths of the most morally corrupt of the Quincy clergy. At last, Ansgar realized that Dresden was behind the sabotage and decided to execute his former protégé himself. But Dresden was aware of Ansgar’s intentions and intended to strike first. Their chance would at last come when they were both assigned on a mission to exterminate a Quincy spy from the Council who had joined Napolean’s army. They pursued their target into Russia, and were caught in the Battle of Borodino, the bloodiest, single-day conflict of the war. Taking advantage of the chaos, Ansgar attacked Dresden, and the two master assassins dueled each other in the midst of the human carnage. Both were experts of their art, deadly accurate, and inhumanly fast. The fight hinged on their speed alone: Dresden was known for his prowess in Hirenkyaku, but Ansgar was the one who had instructed him in its use. At last, in a sudden turn of events, Dresden was aided by a chance musket ball that pierced Ansgar’s lung, and he prevailed in killing his former tutor.
Twilight of Peace
Knowing full well that news of his treachery would soon reach the Church, Dresden escaped into the wilderness east of Moscow, barely staying ahead of the Russian’s scorched-earth line as they attempted to strip the French army of resources. He fled as far north as possible, right into the heart of winter, and the Church eventually gave up the chase. After great danger and difficulty, Dresden eventually crossed the Ural Mountains into Siberia, where he hid for decades to evade the detection of other Quincy. During this time, Dresden perfected the use of Ransoutengai and also began training to use Letzter Stil, using the Reishi-deprived environment of the taiga to better hone his skills.
Shortly after the end of the Crimean War, Dresden left Siberia and blended in with the large influx of poor factory workers who flowed into Saint Petersburg following the reform of 1861. At first he tried to remain hidden among the commoners, but when he realized that he had been forgotten by both the Council and the weakened Church he became involved within the political sphere, working as a spy for the imperial Romanov family. Eventually, tension sparked in the events directly preceding the socialist Revolution of 1905. Wishing to distance himself from the turmoil, Dresden left Russia to tour Europe and broaden his view of the world. It was time for a change.
While attending the World’s Fair in Paris, Dresden became involved in a small street squabble which turned into a battle against a Hollow that had possessed one of the Humans. He was aided in the fight by another Quincy who had been in the area, and after the Hollow had been exorcized the two exchanged introductions. As it turned out, the Quincy Dresden had met was Huang Liu, a member of the Council and a representative for the “Oriental Quincy Association,” which would later become known as the International Quincy Delegation. He had come to Paris on official business regarding the establishment of an international league of Quincy and the democratization of the Council. Dresden accompanied him during his stay in France, and Huang expressed his wish that Dresden become his partner, to which Dresden agreed. However, their relationship soon grew to be something more than strictly business-related.
After leaving Europe, the Quincy travelled east, searching for recruits and support for the delegation. Eventually, they landed in Beijing, where a Council meeting that was to last for several weeks had been scheduled. While Huang was preoccupied with his own agenda within the Council, Dresden was assigned as a member of the democratic delegation to form a relationship with the representative of the Japanese Quincy. Neither Huang nor Dresden, of course, intended for that relationship to be of a romantic nature.
Dresden met with Noburo Miyake, the representative for the Japanese Quincy clans, who was accompanied by his niece, Naoko Miyake. Dresden was instantly drawn to her intelligence and confident bearing, and was amazed that Noburo respected her opinion regarding Quincy affairs. At first, the time they spent together was confined to business regarding the Council. But Dresden at last mustered up his courage and they began to talk in private. Naoko had been educated by her late father, who had attended a Western university, and was extremely knowledgeable on nearly any current subject. Their garden walks became an evening habit, and Dresden enjoyed conversing with her immensely, although he felt guilty for betraying Huang Liu.
Stemming from his religious background, Dresden had always felt his relationship with Huang Liu to be immoral, but had nonetheless craved the emotional satisfaction it had provided. Realizing that it would be best if he were upfront, Dresden confessed that he was in love with Naoko and told Huang that he wished to end their relationship. To Dresden’s shock, Huang simply replied that it was fine and implied that they could continue their affair in secret, since Huang already had a spouse himself. Horrified, and feeling that he had been used, Dresden permanently terminated their partnership.
A few months later, with Noburo’s full support, Dresden and Naoko were married in Shanghai before moving to Japan. During this time, Dresden discovered that Huang Liu was actually a communicant for the Soul Society, who had once again begun to closely monitor the Quincy. The fact that he was acting as a double-agent within the Council no longer surprised Dresden. With cold distance he watched as Huang began to bring about the demise of his own delegation.
Shortly after the end of the Crimean War, Dresden left Siberia and blended in with the large influx of poor factory workers who flowed into Saint Petersburg following the reform of 1861. At first he tried to remain hidden among the commoners, but when he realized that he had been forgotten by both the Council and the weakened Church he became involved within the political sphere, working as a spy for the imperial Romanov family. Eventually, tension sparked in the events directly preceding the socialist Revolution of 1905. Wishing to distance himself from the turmoil, Dresden left Russia to tour Europe and broaden his view of the world. It was time for a change.
While attending the World’s Fair in Paris, Dresden became involved in a small street squabble which turned into a battle against a Hollow that had possessed one of the Humans. He was aided in the fight by another Quincy who had been in the area, and after the Hollow had been exorcized the two exchanged introductions. As it turned out, the Quincy Dresden had met was Huang Liu, a member of the Council and a representative for the “Oriental Quincy Association,” which would later become known as the International Quincy Delegation. He had come to Paris on official business regarding the establishment of an international league of Quincy and the democratization of the Council. Dresden accompanied him during his stay in France, and Huang expressed his wish that Dresden become his partner, to which Dresden agreed. However, their relationship soon grew to be something more than strictly business-related.
After leaving Europe, the Quincy travelled east, searching for recruits and support for the delegation. Eventually, they landed in Beijing, where a Council meeting that was to last for several weeks had been scheduled. While Huang was preoccupied with his own agenda within the Council, Dresden was assigned as a member of the democratic delegation to form a relationship with the representative of the Japanese Quincy. Neither Huang nor Dresden, of course, intended for that relationship to be of a romantic nature.
Dresden met with Noburo Miyake, the representative for the Japanese Quincy clans, who was accompanied by his niece, Naoko Miyake. Dresden was instantly drawn to her intelligence and confident bearing, and was amazed that Noburo respected her opinion regarding Quincy affairs. At first, the time they spent together was confined to business regarding the Council. But Dresden at last mustered up his courage and they began to talk in private. Naoko had been educated by her late father, who had attended a Western university, and was extremely knowledgeable on nearly any current subject. Their garden walks became an evening habit, and Dresden enjoyed conversing with her immensely, although he felt guilty for betraying Huang Liu.
Stemming from his religious background, Dresden had always felt his relationship with Huang Liu to be immoral, but had nonetheless craved the emotional satisfaction it had provided. Realizing that it would be best if he were upfront, Dresden confessed that he was in love with Naoko and told Huang that he wished to end their relationship. To Dresden’s shock, Huang simply replied that it was fine and implied that they could continue their affair in secret, since Huang already had a spouse himself. Horrified, and feeling that he had been used, Dresden permanently terminated their partnership.
A few months later, with Noburo’s full support, Dresden and Naoko were married in Shanghai before moving to Japan. During this time, Dresden discovered that Huang Liu was actually a communicant for the Soul Society, who had once again begun to closely monitor the Quincy. The fact that he was acting as a double-agent within the Council no longer surprised Dresden. With cold distance he watched as Huang began to bring about the demise of his own delegation.
Joy and Sorrow
Dresden’s marriage did not come without its difficulties, but he was firmly convinced that those few years of his early married life with Naoko were the happiest in the entirety of his existence. They lived quietly within good means, and it was therefore out of a concern for Noburo Miyake’s failing health, as well as a desire to “modernize” his education that prompted Dresden to attend the University of Tokyo as a foreign student in 1902. He attained his medical degree four years later, and became a doctor shortly thereafter. However, as tension grew between Germany and Japan, Dresden’s presence was soon perceived with wariness and animosity. As such, while he did not agree with either Japan or Germany’s nationalistic policies, he served as an advisor for European affairs in an attempt to keep his presence in Japan legitimate.
A year after he had established his own private practice, Naoko and Dresden’s first and only child, Haru Miyake, was born. She demonstrated Quincy abilities from a very young age, but Dresden was wary of training to use her powers until she could decide for herself what she wanted to do with them. Naoko disagreed, worried that not instructing her properly would lead to harm. But when Haru was five they were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. As Japan had declared war on Germany, Dresden was taken prisoner, which placed considerable strain on their family. He was soon released because of his degree and reputation, but with the proviso that he would serve as a translator in the war effort.
Dresden joined the Imperial Japanese Army and was sent to Russia during Japan’s Siberia initiative, where he remained until the end of the war. By the time he was allowed to return home, Haru was ten and a bright and independent young girl, taking after her mother. Dresden personally saw to her academic education and taught her to speak English and German, while Naoko made sure she was trained in traditional Japanese arts such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy. In everything, Dresden tried to make up for the four years of her childhood that he had missed. But their happiness was to be short-lived.
As Haru grew older, she became frustrated that Dresden was holding her back in her Quincy training. After a significant argument, she decided to hunt Hollows on her own in order to prove that she was ready to progress in her skills. The results were tragic, as Haru was poisoned by the Hollow’s Reiryoku in the ensuing battle. Dresden used all his medical and Gintou skills to try and spare her life, but his efforts were ultimately to no avail. In less than six months, she was gone.
Naoko and Dresden mourned bitterly at the loss of their only child. Believing Haru’s death to be his fault, Dresden gave up his profession as a doctor, and he and Naoko slowly started to drift apart. Four years after Haru’s death, the Great Kantou Earthquake devastated Tokyo. Naoko volunteered at a medical relief center, but Dresden seemed to detach himself from the destruction as he wandered the streets aimlessly in search of human survivors. He soon became numb to the immensity of the human suffering around him, and when Naoko begged him to help at the under-staffed medical center he responded by asking what difference it would make if he managed to spare one more life. Naoko slapped him across the face, telling him that the nobility of humanity was not found in its greatest deeds, but in each small measure in doing what was right. This was the second greatest conviction of Dresden’s life following the priest’s question two hundred years earlier. Snapped from his destructive introspection, he immediately signed up as a surgeon the center, apologizing to Naoko for clinging so selfishly to his grief, as he had failed to see that she was still suffering too.
Due to these events, Dresden had been largely unaware of the changes within the International Quincy Delegation. While the delegation had formerly disbanded years before, Dresden had continued to support Naoko in her position as a representative for the Japanese Quincy in the Council. It was at this time that they were contacted by the remnants of the delegation, who informed them of Huang Liu’s demise and begged them to help salvage the remains of the association and reintegrate within the Council. Naoko agreed and they moved to Nagasaki, where Dresden began to travel back and forth from China on various trips for the delegation on her behalf.
Having grown disillusioned with Japan ever since WWI, Dresden found himself becoming more and more concerned over the events taking place in Germany throughout the 1920s. Namely, he foresaw the feverish path it would take as it attempted to strike back for the humiliation it had suffered in the war, and followed the events occurring in the Weimer Republic with intense unease. Nonetheless, Dresden remained with Naoko until Hitler officially rose to power in 1933. By then, Naoko and Dresden had grown even more distant. Haru’s death, their separate business interests, and Naoko’s ever increasing age had placed a strain on their marriage, and they eventually faced the fact that it could not last. While they did not divorce, they decided to go their separate ways, although they would remain in contact until the war eventually made it impossible for them send letters.
A year after he had established his own private practice, Naoko and Dresden’s first and only child, Haru Miyake, was born. She demonstrated Quincy abilities from a very young age, but Dresden was wary of training to use her powers until she could decide for herself what she wanted to do with them. Naoko disagreed, worried that not instructing her properly would lead to harm. But when Haru was five they were interrupted by the outbreak of World War I. As Japan had declared war on Germany, Dresden was taken prisoner, which placed considerable strain on their family. He was soon released because of his degree and reputation, but with the proviso that he would serve as a translator in the war effort.
Dresden joined the Imperial Japanese Army and was sent to Russia during Japan’s Siberia initiative, where he remained until the end of the war. By the time he was allowed to return home, Haru was ten and a bright and independent young girl, taking after her mother. Dresden personally saw to her academic education and taught her to speak English and German, while Naoko made sure she was trained in traditional Japanese arts such as the tea ceremony and calligraphy. In everything, Dresden tried to make up for the four years of her childhood that he had missed. But their happiness was to be short-lived.
As Haru grew older, she became frustrated that Dresden was holding her back in her Quincy training. After a significant argument, she decided to hunt Hollows on her own in order to prove that she was ready to progress in her skills. The results were tragic, as Haru was poisoned by the Hollow’s Reiryoku in the ensuing battle. Dresden used all his medical and Gintou skills to try and spare her life, but his efforts were ultimately to no avail. In less than six months, she was gone.
Naoko and Dresden mourned bitterly at the loss of their only child. Believing Haru’s death to be his fault, Dresden gave up his profession as a doctor, and he and Naoko slowly started to drift apart. Four years after Haru’s death, the Great Kantou Earthquake devastated Tokyo. Naoko volunteered at a medical relief center, but Dresden seemed to detach himself from the destruction as he wandered the streets aimlessly in search of human survivors. He soon became numb to the immensity of the human suffering around him, and when Naoko begged him to help at the under-staffed medical center he responded by asking what difference it would make if he managed to spare one more life. Naoko slapped him across the face, telling him that the nobility of humanity was not found in its greatest deeds, but in each small measure in doing what was right. This was the second greatest conviction of Dresden’s life following the priest’s question two hundred years earlier. Snapped from his destructive introspection, he immediately signed up as a surgeon the center, apologizing to Naoko for clinging so selfishly to his grief, as he had failed to see that she was still suffering too.
Due to these events, Dresden had been largely unaware of the changes within the International Quincy Delegation. While the delegation had formerly disbanded years before, Dresden had continued to support Naoko in her position as a representative for the Japanese Quincy in the Council. It was at this time that they were contacted by the remnants of the delegation, who informed them of Huang Liu’s demise and begged them to help salvage the remains of the association and reintegrate within the Council. Naoko agreed and they moved to Nagasaki, where Dresden began to travel back and forth from China on various trips for the delegation on her behalf.
Having grown disillusioned with Japan ever since WWI, Dresden found himself becoming more and more concerned over the events taking place in Germany throughout the 1920s. Namely, he foresaw the feverish path it would take as it attempted to strike back for the humiliation it had suffered in the war, and followed the events occurring in the Weimer Republic with intense unease. Nonetheless, Dresden remained with Naoko until Hitler officially rose to power in 1933. By then, Naoko and Dresden had grown even more distant. Haru’s death, their separate business interests, and Naoko’s ever increasing age had placed a strain on their marriage, and they eventually faced the fact that it could not last. While they did not divorce, they decided to go their separate ways, although they would remain in contact until the war eventually made it impossible for them send letters.
Iron Cross to Carry
Upon his return to Germany, Dresden took up residence in the city of his namesake. Largely ashamed and angered with the state of the nation, especially the fanaticism that gripped the majority of the population during the early half of the 1930s, Dresden tried to subtly work against the Nazi party by seeking out others who opposed the Third Reich. He eventually joined a small group of Quincy who were part of the Widerstand. However, when he learned that the main and possibly most effective strategy was to convince the leaders of the Wehrmacht to stage a coup against the regime, Dresden promptly enlisted in 1936 even doing so cut him off from his fellow Quincy. Using the skills gained in his former years as a spy and his centuries of military experience, Dresden soon infiltrated the upper ranks of the Werhmacht and reached the position of First Lieutenant, where he began to supply the resistance with information regarding the army’s prevailing thoughts towards the Führer.
Dresden was part of the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Disagreeing with the policy behind the drive east, he subtly fed misleading information to his superiors while working to keep his reconnaissance unit in check as the Lebensraum frenzy drove the army to perpetrate countless war crimes along the front. However, he was soon left with little time to plot such subversive tactics after the army encountered heavy resistance outside of Moscow in December. Dresden was forced to use his Quincy powers in order to save his men after they were spotted by an aerial scout and strafed. He was aided by Jakob Sauer, a Fullbringer from a panzer division that Dresden’s unit had supplied relief to. Unbeknownst to either of them, the use of their abilities had betrayed their identities as supernaturally-empowered combatants, which would bear later repercussions.
Having being wounded in the battle, Dresden was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery behind enemy lines and returned to Germany to recover. He found that the pub where the Quincy Widerstand group had formerly met had been ransacked and that there was no sign of the members themselves. Following this, his intent to help bring about the destruction of the Third Reich was no longer motivated by a sense of altruism, but rather was personal: he wanted revenge.
Once he had fully healed from his injuries, Dresden transferred to Berlin in order to move closer to the military’s higher-ups. There, he heard rumors of Operation Valkyrie and joined the resistance network. During this time he was contacted by the ubiquitously named “Special Powers Division” of the Shutzstaffel, which had been established by Heinrich Himmler after the dissolution of the Ahnerebe. Owing to his intense interest in the occult, Himmler had sought out and conscripted several supernaturally gifted individuals to serve as a distinct unit, although their exact involvement in the military was never specified. Dresden had been discovered by the division’s leader, Kurt von der Öttinger, a direct subordinate to Himmler. Having encountered him in WWI, Öttinger recognized Dresden and hoped to discover the means of his immortality. He blackmailed Dresden into joining the unit, threatening to divulge his involvement with the Widerstand should he refuse. As this may have jeopardized the Valkyrie plot. Dresden was forced to comply.
Originally, the division had boasted impressive numbers, many of them Quincy who were Nazi sympathizers, but as the war had continued to drag on its members had dwindled. This was mostly a result of the division’s assignment to dangerous confrontations that lay beyond the means of normal humans, sometimes involving battles against supernaturally empowered soldiers of enemy nations. Soon, Dresden was assigned to several high-scale, secretive battles himself. He was also reunited with Jakob Sauer, who had also been conscripted into the division a year earlier than Dresden. As time passed, Dresden tried to determine what had happened to the Widerstand Quincy who had gone missing from his city. Eventually he traced their disappearances all the way back to Öttinger, who had ordered their extermination. Upon further investigation, Dresden discovered the laboratory containing the bodies of his comrades, which were being kept for experimentation on Öttinger’s orders. Horrified, Dresden set fire to the building to prevent further desecration and afterwards nearly suffered a mental breakdown. Fortunately, Jakob managed to pull him out of his despair. He told him that he had suffered a similar experience, as he was part Jewish and had learned that his family had been sent to Auschwitz while he had been fighting on the front lines. While Dresden had heard rumors of the camps and knew of the racist policies behind the Nazi party, he had accredited much of the rumors to sensationalism. Jakob’s personal account and the laboratory caused Dresden to realize that conditions were much worse than he had realized. It was then that Dresden and Jakob hatched a desperate plot to assassinate Öttinger, overthrow the Special Powers division, and force Himmler to step down.
Warily, they reached out to other members of the division who had grown disillusioned with Öttinger’s increasingly delusional mismanagement and formed a core group of conspirators. This raised Öttinger’s suspicions, and he began to suspect Dresden of betrayal. Several uneasy months passed as both sides of the division skirted each other politically while pretending to operate under normal conditions. But the infrastructure of Germany’s military was itself beginning to deteriorate as the war approached its end. Finally, driven by paranoia, Öttinger began to kill off the remaining members of the Special Powers division until only a few operatives were left. Realizing that they had run out of time, Dresden switched tactics and decided to directly target Himmler while they still had the chance.
However, things took a sharp turn for the worst when one of the actual conspirators, Klara Klein, was found out by Öttinger. Mentally unstable, Öttinger exploited the Quincy to extract information about Dresden and the other traitors. This backfired, however, as Klara also revealed Öttinger’s suspicions to Dresden and the group, which allowed them to prepare to escape in time. As the Soviet Union’s forces began to close in around Berlin, Dresden tried to help those left within the division to from the city. Unfortunately, he himself was unable to leave before the siege, and was caught in the Battle of Berlin.
Weeks passed as the capital put up a desperate resistance against the Soviet army. Dresden resumed his duties as an officer in the Werhmacht and fought for the survival of his country. Absorbed in the battle at hand, Öttinger’s attack nonetheless did not surprise him as he had assumed Öttinger would take advantage of the chaos to try and kill him. Still, the first strike came when Dresden was preoccupied with running from enemy fire, and he did not escape uninjured. He and Jakob were separated and a drawn-out, “hit-and-run” battle ensued which lasted for three hours. Dresden new he could not match Öttinger’s raw power in a direct confrontation, especially when injured, but he had centuries of fighting experience and strategy to draw upon. Öttinger quickly realized that toying with him was not an option, especially since he wanted to be the one to personally insure Dresden’s end.
Finally, Dresden was cornered in the abandoned shell of an old factory. Öttinger then used Lenz Gegrämt, or “Lenny,” a fourteen-year-old psychic and fellow conspirator, as a “hostage” to draw Dresden out of hiding, promising to release the boy if he would give himself up. Dresden knew the promise was false, but he also knew he had no chance of escape anyway. Hoping that he could somehow manage a final attack that would provide Lenny a chance to escape, he at last confronted Öttinger face to face. But when he told Lenny to run, the boy only smiled—he had been the first to betray the conspiracy to Öttinger and had served as a mole ever since. In the moment of complete shock that followed, Öttinger shot Dresden through the chest, delivering a mortal wound.
But as Öttinger turned to leave, Dresden rose to his feet, drawing upon Ransoutengai to knit the wound closed and continue fighting. Snapping off the ring on his finger, Dresden then unleashed the power he had been withholding for a hundred years: Letzter Stil. Despite the fact that Öttinger was using Vollständig and was aided by Lenny, Dresden managed to kill both of them before he succumbed to his wounds and collapsed. Stripped of his powers, Dresden gave himself up to his fate.
However, even though he longed for it, death continued to elude him. Dresden had somehow managed to survive due to the remnant effects of the Ransoutengai, and he lied buried among the rubble and carnage of Berlin for two days before he was found by Jakob, who had been searching for him. They managed to escape the occupied city just as the Germans surrendered to the Allied forces on May 2, 1945. Dresden was taken to a temporary hospital center, where he was administered emergency care. Knowing he would be arrested as an officer, Dresden left Germany in an attempt to spare Jakob from becoming involved in the trial. Somewhat counterintuitively, he fled east as the Soviets occupied east Germany and found safety in enemy territory.
Dresden remained in hiding for several years until the hunt for German officers dwindled and he was once again lost to history. He lived under the shadow of the Soviet Union for decades, never staying in one place for long as he risked his life to help refugees escape from the Eastern Bloc, doing his best to ameliorate the suffering he encountered. This was all in an attempt to deal with the trauma and guilt he had suffered after WWII, as he had finally broken down after centuries of fighting. Time passed, and while his mental scars faded they never truly healed. At the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Dresden returned to Germany, where he confirmed the fate that had befallen his wife in the bombing of Nagasaki. Dresden continued to suffer relapses for years until he became numb to pain of his memories. As such, while he has searched for a way to regain his lost Quincy powers, he partly fears recovering his abilities as he considered their loss to be part of the price he paid for his sins.
Now, however, at the emergence of a new threat, he realizes he can no longer afford the luxury of wallowing in his past and remorse, and has rediscovered his determination to fight. As always, it seems only the fires of war can purify him.
Dresden was part of the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. Disagreeing with the policy behind the drive east, he subtly fed misleading information to his superiors while working to keep his reconnaissance unit in check as the Lebensraum frenzy drove the army to perpetrate countless war crimes along the front. However, he was soon left with little time to plot such subversive tactics after the army encountered heavy resistance outside of Moscow in December. Dresden was forced to use his Quincy powers in order to save his men after they were spotted by an aerial scout and strafed. He was aided by Jakob Sauer, a Fullbringer from a panzer division that Dresden’s unit had supplied relief to. Unbeknownst to either of them, the use of their abilities had betrayed their identities as supernaturally-empowered combatants, which would bear later repercussions.
Having being wounded in the battle, Dresden was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery behind enemy lines and returned to Germany to recover. He found that the pub where the Quincy Widerstand group had formerly met had been ransacked and that there was no sign of the members themselves. Following this, his intent to help bring about the destruction of the Third Reich was no longer motivated by a sense of altruism, but rather was personal: he wanted revenge.
Once he had fully healed from his injuries, Dresden transferred to Berlin in order to move closer to the military’s higher-ups. There, he heard rumors of Operation Valkyrie and joined the resistance network. During this time he was contacted by the ubiquitously named “Special Powers Division” of the Shutzstaffel, which had been established by Heinrich Himmler after the dissolution of the Ahnerebe. Owing to his intense interest in the occult, Himmler had sought out and conscripted several supernaturally gifted individuals to serve as a distinct unit, although their exact involvement in the military was never specified. Dresden had been discovered by the division’s leader, Kurt von der Öttinger, a direct subordinate to Himmler. Having encountered him in WWI, Öttinger recognized Dresden and hoped to discover the means of his immortality. He blackmailed Dresden into joining the unit, threatening to divulge his involvement with the Widerstand should he refuse. As this may have jeopardized the Valkyrie plot. Dresden was forced to comply.
Originally, the division had boasted impressive numbers, many of them Quincy who were Nazi sympathizers, but as the war had continued to drag on its members had dwindled. This was mostly a result of the division’s assignment to dangerous confrontations that lay beyond the means of normal humans, sometimes involving battles against supernaturally empowered soldiers of enemy nations. Soon, Dresden was assigned to several high-scale, secretive battles himself. He was also reunited with Jakob Sauer, who had also been conscripted into the division a year earlier than Dresden. As time passed, Dresden tried to determine what had happened to the Widerstand Quincy who had gone missing from his city. Eventually he traced their disappearances all the way back to Öttinger, who had ordered their extermination. Upon further investigation, Dresden discovered the laboratory containing the bodies of his comrades, which were being kept for experimentation on Öttinger’s orders. Horrified, Dresden set fire to the building to prevent further desecration and afterwards nearly suffered a mental breakdown. Fortunately, Jakob managed to pull him out of his despair. He told him that he had suffered a similar experience, as he was part Jewish and had learned that his family had been sent to Auschwitz while he had been fighting on the front lines. While Dresden had heard rumors of the camps and knew of the racist policies behind the Nazi party, he had accredited much of the rumors to sensationalism. Jakob’s personal account and the laboratory caused Dresden to realize that conditions were much worse than he had realized. It was then that Dresden and Jakob hatched a desperate plot to assassinate Öttinger, overthrow the Special Powers division, and force Himmler to step down.
Warily, they reached out to other members of the division who had grown disillusioned with Öttinger’s increasingly delusional mismanagement and formed a core group of conspirators. This raised Öttinger’s suspicions, and he began to suspect Dresden of betrayal. Several uneasy months passed as both sides of the division skirted each other politically while pretending to operate under normal conditions. But the infrastructure of Germany’s military was itself beginning to deteriorate as the war approached its end. Finally, driven by paranoia, Öttinger began to kill off the remaining members of the Special Powers division until only a few operatives were left. Realizing that they had run out of time, Dresden switched tactics and decided to directly target Himmler while they still had the chance.
However, things took a sharp turn for the worst when one of the actual conspirators, Klara Klein, was found out by Öttinger. Mentally unstable, Öttinger exploited the Quincy to extract information about Dresden and the other traitors. This backfired, however, as Klara also revealed Öttinger’s suspicions to Dresden and the group, which allowed them to prepare to escape in time. As the Soviet Union’s forces began to close in around Berlin, Dresden tried to help those left within the division to from the city. Unfortunately, he himself was unable to leave before the siege, and was caught in the Battle of Berlin.
Weeks passed as the capital put up a desperate resistance against the Soviet army. Dresden resumed his duties as an officer in the Werhmacht and fought for the survival of his country. Absorbed in the battle at hand, Öttinger’s attack nonetheless did not surprise him as he had assumed Öttinger would take advantage of the chaos to try and kill him. Still, the first strike came when Dresden was preoccupied with running from enemy fire, and he did not escape uninjured. He and Jakob were separated and a drawn-out, “hit-and-run” battle ensued which lasted for three hours. Dresden new he could not match Öttinger’s raw power in a direct confrontation, especially when injured, but he had centuries of fighting experience and strategy to draw upon. Öttinger quickly realized that toying with him was not an option, especially since he wanted to be the one to personally insure Dresden’s end.
Finally, Dresden was cornered in the abandoned shell of an old factory. Öttinger then used Lenz Gegrämt, or “Lenny,” a fourteen-year-old psychic and fellow conspirator, as a “hostage” to draw Dresden out of hiding, promising to release the boy if he would give himself up. Dresden knew the promise was false, but he also knew he had no chance of escape anyway. Hoping that he could somehow manage a final attack that would provide Lenny a chance to escape, he at last confronted Öttinger face to face. But when he told Lenny to run, the boy only smiled—he had been the first to betray the conspiracy to Öttinger and had served as a mole ever since. In the moment of complete shock that followed, Öttinger shot Dresden through the chest, delivering a mortal wound.
But as Öttinger turned to leave, Dresden rose to his feet, drawing upon Ransoutengai to knit the wound closed and continue fighting. Snapping off the ring on his finger, Dresden then unleashed the power he had been withholding for a hundred years: Letzter Stil. Despite the fact that Öttinger was using Vollständig and was aided by Lenny, Dresden managed to kill both of them before he succumbed to his wounds and collapsed. Stripped of his powers, Dresden gave himself up to his fate.
However, even though he longed for it, death continued to elude him. Dresden had somehow managed to survive due to the remnant effects of the Ransoutengai, and he lied buried among the rubble and carnage of Berlin for two days before he was found by Jakob, who had been searching for him. They managed to escape the occupied city just as the Germans surrendered to the Allied forces on May 2, 1945. Dresden was taken to a temporary hospital center, where he was administered emergency care. Knowing he would be arrested as an officer, Dresden left Germany in an attempt to spare Jakob from becoming involved in the trial. Somewhat counterintuitively, he fled east as the Soviets occupied east Germany and found safety in enemy territory.
Dresden remained in hiding for several years until the hunt for German officers dwindled and he was once again lost to history. He lived under the shadow of the Soviet Union for decades, never staying in one place for long as he risked his life to help refugees escape from the Eastern Bloc, doing his best to ameliorate the suffering he encountered. This was all in an attempt to deal with the trauma and guilt he had suffered after WWII, as he had finally broken down after centuries of fighting. Time passed, and while his mental scars faded they never truly healed. At the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Dresden returned to Germany, where he confirmed the fate that had befallen his wife in the bombing of Nagasaki. Dresden continued to suffer relapses for years until he became numb to pain of his memories. As such, while he has searched for a way to regain his lost Quincy powers, he partly fears recovering his abilities as he considered their loss to be part of the price he paid for his sins.
Now, however, at the emergence of a new threat, he realizes he can no longer afford the luxury of wallowing in his past and remorse, and has rediscovered his determination to fight. As always, it seems only the fires of war can purify him.
