Robert Sykes - James R

Email: robert_sykes@ragnarok.chaosdeathfish.com

American police officer Robert 'Bob' Sykes is famed in law enforcement circles for both his incredible successes in defusing hostage situations and thwarting terrorist schemes, and his prodigious number of wounds sustained in the line of duty. He and his team has been recruited by UNITED to serve and protect the Exploratory division.

Extract from The founding of a Nation the life and times of Queen Astrid

Of course one of the most influential figures of the period was the prince Regent Robert Sykes. After the events of Ragnarok he worked tirelessly to break through the xenophobic attitudes that out people had previously held.

In the initial period after ragnarok he held one of the biggest series of feasts the elvish people had ever known as is still well loved for bringing merriment to all. The only mar on this period were several allegations of wrongdoing on his part the Ambassador Ellesar but these were eventually weathered as has been recounted elsewhere.

Throughout Astrid's reign he was a constant source of reason on the council. Advising always more open policies when dealing with other worlds and was always despite his great martial skill a great believer in peaceful solutions.

Upon the death of his beloved Queen who was succeeded by their daughter he retreated to the tower of the archmagi where he lives to this day still giving sage advice and teaching each new royal child, all his descendants, the secrets of magic.

—

I look toward the palace. A blur, now, and only half a hundred yards away. My vision continues to degrade, and I fear it will not halt in its degradation until I am left unable to ever again see the faces of those I love and adore, let alone the approach of those who would wish me harm for my errors.

I think of my wife. How long? I think of my own life. How long? Eternity is a strange burden to bear, stranger for its imperfections, the uncertainty of being ageless but far from immortal; if anything, I am more likely then ever now to face my death at the blade of a foe, real or internal. (Men's own minds tear them apart, and in this respect, I am very much a mortal man indeed.)

I still feel a great attachment to Midgard; despite my new physical manifestation and miraculous powers, I feel I will always be a North American police officer out of his depth, trying to make the best of a bad situation, trying to make the most of limited information, trying to calm the internal strife of a vast, unknowingly complex nation.

Yet here I am. Perhaps I should just stay calm and try to do good. All else may well fall into place, even if I am too blind by then to see it do so.

—

Alarthiel looked up from his tea as the patter of tiny footsteps ran down the hallway. The door burst open and a small golden haired child burst in running up to Robert who sat in a comfy chair across the room and hopping into his lap. The old god smiled the expression warming his kindly face as his great great granddaughter suddenly hopped down and ran to the book cases surrounding the room.

“Is it already time to begin this ones training.” Robert said “It seems like only yesterday it was he mother who sat at my feet.” Alarthiel smiled at his old friend “We do not quite have your longevity Robert it was not so recently that her mother was here.”

A brief look of pain passed across his face as he replied. “Indeed you are correct I am cursed to carry on whilst those around me age and die. But as long as any of my progeny live I shall watch over and teach them, as best I can that it. Well we had better start this ones lessons. A future Queen should have a fine education”