Vladimir Silence Gorbachev

Finished this March 4th, 2012, and started it two weeks beforehand. I spent 30+ hours working on this... Photoshop, with 26 layers and I can't tell you what's on all of them in all honestly because I have no idea. XD

Only finished writing information about him today as I watched Indiana Jones with my Dad. (Happy Father's day!)

Used a kind of lighting style known as Rembrandt Lighting... Because I like the way it looks.
Andddddddddd I decided to try my hand at some realism. How look? *derp*

Anyways, character, and this is probably the closest you'll get to having a ref. sheet for him. More for my use than anyone else's in all honesty, but you can read it if you want. :3

Fun fact: This was originally a picture of me with a wig on. lol I wanted to practice realism, and it turned into a picture of one of my characters.
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Name: Vladimir Gorbachev
Alias: "Silence"
Gender: Male
Race: Ashkin (Russian descent. Origin unknown.)
Occupation: Alleged arms dealer
Alliances: Gades, himself.
Location: Warehouse
Base alliance: Eastern Mountain Base (or just "M. Base") A non-field base. Specializes in Research and Development, computer stuffs, and Special Forces Training and Recovery. (It contains a hacking team, training center/base of operations for spy teams, Land and Water tactical units, R&D staff, hospital staff, bomb squad, mechanics, engineers, test pilots, and assassins. Also includes psychologists, a herbologist(helps develop new, less "harsh" medicines that might be used), and a vet (at one point in time people were allowed small non-dangerous pets pets (cats... fish... small non-venomous lizards), but no longer), emergency transportation, and security.)
Home Base: Controls an abandoned, very well hidden underground building that acts as a warehouse for various weapons, computers, etc. that is currently empty (besides himself and a handful of others) due to an attack, brought on by a traitorous guard, that left certain areas in need of serious repair, and was deemed unfit for most to live in until repaired. This place was uncreatively named "The Warehouse." It acts as a home, hospital, and workplace. Aside from himself, Dalton, Lily, and Ambitus, it normally houses security (once cleared by Silence himself), and various workers. Due to the damage done, it houses Silence and friends, a repair team, small hospital staff, and a high tech. security system until the building is deemed safe for others to return to. New security guards are in the process of being chosen, it taking much longer as one "bad egg" managed to slip through the first time.

Age: Unknown (presumed to be in mid 30s judging by appearance, most likely older due to elf-like race)(birth date unknown)
Hair color: Orange (styled, usually not at all, but rather is just a tangled mess. Tends to run his fingers through his hair when stressed or thinking.)
Eye color: Azure/Brandeis blue
Skin color: Charcoal (slightly blue base tone, hence the blueish lips and eyelid edges.)
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 235 lbs
Build: Heavy set, muscular.
Defining traits not mentioned above: Scar on neck, reaches over his chest. Other, more faint scars.
Slightly darker-than-skintone (it's darker with bit of red in it) birthmark on right shoulder blade that's shaped a bit like Germany.
Dark welts on arms, hands, chest, and back.
Posture/details about characteristic behaviors: Usually stands tall. Body language is very unclear. Almost always looks directly at someone when speaking to them. Expression is guarded to hide his emotions, thoughts, and reactions.
Voice: Deep alto, gravel-ey. Often sounds emotionless, calm when angered.
Eyes: Cat-like pupils, allows him to see incredibly well in the dark, but fine in lighter spaces. Almond shaped. Often has bags due to lack of sleep.
Jawline: (should be less soft looking, a bit more sharp. I blame my terrible lighting abilities because the lineart looks more masculine/defined at the jaw. xD)
Lips: Somewhat full lower lip. Slightly defined cupid's bow.
Eyebrows: Typically look furrowed, even when relaxed. Well groomed.
Face: somewhat angular. Lightly defined cheekbones.
Ears: Pointed.
Nose: Slightly pointed in appearance from the side, but is rounded at the tip. Thin bridge.
Neck: Thick, muscled.
Teeth: Two Pairs of longer fang-like canines (upper and lower pairs).
Hands: Square palms, scarred, marked with tough blotches/welts.
Shoots left handed, despite being right-side dominant.
Fingers: Average length, short, shell shaped nails. Doesn't have "trigger fingers."
Waist/Torso: Seems more wide than average due to his muscle mass. Marked in places with dark blotches/welts.
Physical issues, deformities or otherwise: Afflicted by a mutated strain of leprosy that has more aggressive traits than the non-mutated strains. Symptoms began to appear rapidly (over the course of about two weeks, rather than several months, after four weeks he began to lose feeling and muscle strength in his left hand). The condition progresses as such due to the fact that it has failed to respond in any way to the medications he has been given. Welts have spread over both of his arms and hands, across his chest, and on his lower back and his shoulders. He generally keeps these areas covered by wearing long sleeved, loose shirts or jackets, wearing a pair of elbow length black leather gloves under the sleeves of a jacket, or bandaging them.
Prone to knee and wrist injuries. (Boxing and running)

Likes: Chinses food, peppermints, cats, quiet, being alone, coffee, friends, boxing.
Dislikes: Most foods (he's a very picky eater), loud noises, stress, birds, some other stuff.
Loves: Lily, feeling in control.
Hates: Feeling like he's missing something, when someone he cares about gets hurt. Garlic and onion mainly because of the smell.

Skills/strengths: Endurance, can run or travel for long distances, even when wounded if need be. Can act. Resourceful. Aim with a handgun is incredibly accurate. Close combat skills. Ability to think when put under pressure. Can handle short knives. Knowledge of weapons that comes with his job.

Supernatural abilities: As an Ashkin, by birth he has the ability to "see" (sense) how close a person is to death at any given moment, unless that person is another Ashkin. Though his race resembles elves, it is very rare that any can preform magic of any sort, aside from the ability to sense a given person's "numbers" as it's often put. Silence would prefer not to live with this ability, as the only other Ashkin he works with is his brother, but he's found a way to "tune out" this ability like someone would an annoying sound. His brother has lost this ability completely, as when an Ashkin becomes anxious or fearful they can temporarily lose this ability, and sometimes, it does not return.

Weaknesses/flaws: Temper is out of control at times. Builds speed slowly due to size. Not good at handling rifles. Prefers not to use explosives. Same with longer bladed weapons. Not interested in trying to understand technological warfare. Impatient. Obstinate. Rash when faced with emotional conflict. Overconfident at times. Leprosy.

Languages known fluently: Russian, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Polish, Japanese, English, and many others. He's traveled all over the world.

Family:
Mother, deceased. She loved to cook, was very protective of her children, a strong woman, but when Lucya was killed she seemed to break, having lost her husband in the same war.

Father, MIA shortly after he and his twin brother, Maxim, were born. Not much is known about him Silence remembers vaguely running after a man as a toddler, late at night, begging him not to go, and just being put back to bed next to his brother, the man telling him, "Do not... Try to follow me..." He paused for just a moment, then went on, his voice tight with emotion. "Just remember that I love you."
Was one of the original Gades. Presumed to be dead, as his camp was bombed during an air raid.

Older sister, Lucya. Fiery temper, enthusiastic, strong willed. KIA by an assassin called "Dred" after joining up with the Gades in a field base, as the Vernment was wary of her ability to rally troops to fight, to create near foolproof plans... In other words, she was too much of a threat. Was mischievous, like her little brothers. Usually kept an eye on them when their mother was busy. Loved to cook with her mom.

Younger twin brother, Maxim. Has anxiety issues. Liked to play with electronics as a kid to see how they worked, got shocked quite a bit, earning him the nickname "Static." Always the more hesitant of the two brothers, cautious, jumpy. Thought to be dead, as he was taken prisoner by an enemy that wasn't known to keep captives alive for long. Years later, the two were reunited due to some peculiar events. Maxim is a mute. (fraternal twins) Blue hair, blue eyes. His skin is much lighter than Silence's, but still grey. He's smaller in stature. Despite this, facially they look the same, and oddly enough, they have identical fingerprints, an unheard of trait, even among twins.

Fiance, Lily. An elf-like woman who paints. Kind, but just as stubborn, if not more so than he himself is. They met in Italy, and she got "caught up" in his line of work, being put in danger. At the warehouse, there's a massive aquarium in which she has a toothless blind tiger shark named Loopy and a two-finned sea turtle named Lewis. They are best friends, and her babbies.

The white cat, Pepper. She was named by the troll, Ambitus Stephen "Effrego" Staley. She likes to sleep on Silence's head.

Close friends:
Ambitus Stephen "Effrego" Staley, someone to verbally abuse out of boredom, who calls names right back. He's a troll who originates from Finland. Master hacker/programmer. Has a niece and a nephew whom he cares for since his sister passed away, and their father went MIA. The kids are named Maggie and L.J..

Dalton, the head doctor and Silence's assistant at the Warehouse. Grumpy, is often called "mother" by Silence in a clearly sarcastic manner. The only person who can order Silence around with the result of him cooperating. Working on a medicine for Silence's condition with Albrecht.

Orrin, a cecaelian from the east coast. Goofy, loves fun, a bit easily annoyed, but not quick to anger. Recent amputee, having had a severe infection in one of his legs, as his own people are known to have violent disputes. He was brought to the Warehouse to recover. Resembles a blue-ringed octopus.

Jay & Jenny. Jay is a human who leads M. Base, as well as oversees the team of "techies" there. He's kind, open, and welcoming, in contrast to Silence's cold, serious demeanor. People tend to take advantage of his kindness, as he is generally lenient, but once he's pushed too far he can be as harsh as he needs to be to right things. Jenny is his wife, who lives away from the base. A human lie detector. She often sends Silence peppermints, as he likes them. They have two children who are in college, and living away from home, and she was asked by Ambitus to care for L.J. and Maggie, as a rebel base was no place for children, despite how secluded and secure it was.

Julie, a drill sergeant of a woman who matches his size in her spunk. He's training her in close combat to improve her skills, but she's a fair match for him as it is. She is stationed at a field base.

Enemies/rivals:
Dred, enemy and rival, an assassin who's real name is unknown, and may work for the Vernment, but has made it clear that he is freelance, and has a hidden agenda all his own. Has killed Silence's sister, attacked several good friends of his, as well as himself, threatened him and other people at M. Base, broken into M. Base, and sent others to attack his brother, only to follow him to the warehouse, so the others could get in and kill all living there. In short, he's a devious, plotting bastard.

Albrecht, passive rival, works at M. Base as head of the hospital, as well as in the Research and Development staff. He and Silence have never seen eye to eye about how to face the enemy. Silence prefers battles, as they kill quickly and effectively (typically), whereas Albrecht prefers disease, while dangerous to all and hard to control once released, kills without (too much) bloodshed. Albrecht originally came from Z. Base (Zero feet above sea level, located at the base of the mountain in which M. Base is located.) At M. Base he's been developing a bacteria, similar to Tuberculosis, that is called the A226. Silence and himself often get into heated arguments, thus stay away from one another. Is friends with Dalton. Silence and he make a good team when they aren't arguing.

The Vernment. The corrupt power that rules with an iron fist over the country, the corrupt power that ordered his sister's death, that the Gades, the rebels, have been fighting for years in order to begin a new government, a fair, just one, where freedom reigns.

Personality Breakdown: Serious, but has a dry sense of humor that shows itself from time to time. He's very protective of those he loves, very determined. Once he has his mind locked on something, it's like trying to get a bone away from a hungry dog, it doesn't work.
If he believes in something, he will fight for it no matter what, and once his mind is made up, not much could change it.
If he doesn't agree with something more likely than not he always will, and he'll struggle against it.
He has a hard time controlling his emotions when it comes to the well being of family and friends.
He doesn't speak much more than a few words at a time usually, and if he does, he has something to say that's worth listening to. He's smart, calculating, cool, calm outwardly, but when he becomes stressed he finds that it's difficult to keep control of his temper.
To rid himself of stress he boxes with War/Wormwood until one of them passes out, goes to a firing range, sleeps, or runs until his knees are so messed up he has to walk on crutches for several weeks after.
Is gentle towards his brother and fiance, having a soft spot for them. Thinks of others long before himself. Is terrified of having a friend being put in harm's way and him being able to do nothing to stop it. Unlike his brother, he doesn't suffer from anxiety issues, though he doesn't do well when hospitalized.
Likes cats.

History in short:

Was raised by his mother and on stories of his father's bravery. He doesn't remember much of his father, as he was very young when the man left to go back to the Gades' Base he was stationed at, as one of the rebels, and was later thought to be killed. He remembers trying to follow his father as he left, and his father picking him up, putting him back to bed and murmuring "Do not... Try to follow me.." He doesn't remember anything else from that night, but the memory he has bothers him when he thinks too much for too long.
His elder sister Lucya was just as wild and daring as he, getting into trouble along side him, and unfortunately, quiet Maxim being dragged along with them as well. Silence always took the heat for his younger brother, defending him, taking the blame and punishment completely.
As a teenager he dreamed of going out, seeing the world, adventuring, wanting to get out of the small town he was born in.
He joined the Gades alongside his sister and brother in his late teens, him as a foot soldier, like his sister, Maxim as an assassin. In one battle that broke out, Max was caught in the fight, him and Silence separated.
Maxim was found by Lucya, who tried to help him get out of the line of fire, but was forced back. A man with long red hair shoved her away and pinned Maxim to the ground after hitting him in the head with a pipe. He aimed his gun at Lucya and fired. Dred was nowhere to be found after the battle. Max was found dazed, bleeding from his head, barely conscious, about a mile away. He was in a coma-like state for five days before he woke up, remembering nothing other than Lucya was in danger.
His first words to the closest person were, "Where's Lucya?" Silence was that person. Silence replied softly, "She's dead." Maxim hasn't spoken a word since.
Silence partially blames himself, even though he knows it isn't his fault. He supported his mother and brother through these times, hiding his own pain to be strong for them. Their mother passed a year from then, leaving them alone in the world.
Several months later Maxim was taken prisoner by the Vernment, and was thought to have been killed.
Silence left the Gades, travelling, the loss of his brother, his only family remaining, crushing his connection with the Gades. He no longer wished to be part of the war, as it had destroyed his family. Eventually he started up an arms dealing business, which took him all over the world, Dalton as an assistant of sorts working for him, just as he had wanted to do when he was younger.
While in Italy, he met a woman named Lilith. They had spent some time together as acquaintances, two people in a new country, Silence on business of course, and Lily, as he called her, looking for a change of scenery.
Lily was taken captive, along with Dalton, held hostage, and the two would be set free as long as Silence gave their captors what they wanted, him to give up his arms dealing business, as he provided weaponry to many of their enemies.
Didn't really fly with him, and he asked for the help of some allies and rescued Dalton and Lily.
Despite Silence's protests to her coming with him when he moved, she always won the argument, saying she could take care of herself if need be, and she liked the thrill of a life on the move.
Eventually he met a river troll, Ambitus, an expert hacker, and his family, his sister and her mate. Through a chain of events (namely Ambitus hacking into the computers at Silence's Base at the time and causing mischief, Silence catching him, and offering him a job and his family a place to stay that was safe), the group of trolls became a part of the group.
Some years later, Silence returned to his home-country, settling in a permanent base, the Warehouse. The Warehouse was a highly secure building constructed in a cave system below ground, complete with living quarters, hospital (with an aquarium for aquatic humanoids who are in the hospital to recover in.)
Silence was confronted by one of the leaders within the Gades, and was offered a chance to rejoin them. He once again rejoined the Gades, but not as a soldier this time. The Gades provided a steady source of protection and clients, and he provided weaponry. This was how he became close friends with Jay and many of the people at East Mountain Base.
Silence fell ill, and during that time, was hospitalized within the Warehouse, unable to hardly move on his own. Lily had sat by him almost constantly, keeping him company. He had spoken to her in a state of half-consciousness, telling her that if his time was soon, if the sickness was going to kill him, there wouldn't be anyone else he'd rather spend his last moments with, that he loved her, and she had returned the gesture. He later asked her to marry him once he had recovered, almost miraculously.
On a short trip out of the country he had become infected with a peculiar disease similar to leprosy, though the symptoms began to appear rapidly, rather than slowly over time. He hid this for quite some time, as he already had a habit of wearing long leather gloves, but he had also begun bandaging his arms, where the welts had first begun to appear, to hid them.
Silence was shocked when his brother appeared outside of the Warehouse, injured. He had somehow escaped from the Vernment after a year of being imprisoned, only knowing that someone had helped him, and a few others, escape. He had been working for the Gades as an assassin, his skills as a sniper recognized, and was wounded while on the job. He had run to the closest Gades-friendly base, the Warehouse, unaware that the infamous Silence, was his brother.
Silence felt guilt, having falsely believed Maxim was dead, and left him, he apologized, promising to not leave him behind again. Maxim forgave him, he himself apologized, in sign language, for scaring him.

Somewhere along the way Silence had met a group of interesting people, and befriended them, a group of brothers, namely two of them, Wormwood and Percy, the two youngest. They had proven to be incredibly helpful on more than one occasion.

Vladmir "Silence" Gorbachev and other related characters (minus one)/world/art (c) Me
Julie (c) ~xXSukixGaaraxX

Crosshair brush: [link]
Marble texture: [link]
All other brushes, I honestly have no idea where I got them. I'll figure it out!