Alia Winchester

"I'm not fighting because of 'honor' or 'duty.' I've finally found a home and people I love, and I fight for them!"

Originally a Federation soldier with some fame among Burning PT players for her 'White Aegis' persona, Alia left the EFA after seeing evidence of the Titans' actions. She served with the Orb Union's AEUG, but alienated many due to her obsessive 'pro-ace pilot, pro-real robot' behavior. Later inspired by encounters with the Langran Kingdom in La Gias, she moved there in a drastic attempt to change her life. Alia previously split her efforts between protecting Langran and helping Orb for a time, though this changed when the Orb Union Islands were seized by the EFA. Help from Guy Shishioh and Masaki Andoh allowed her to reconcile with the Federation, and she now operates as an EFA ally. While she retains small parts of her old identity, Alia is grateful to the people of Langran for giving her a chance to turn her life around and defends them as the chosen pilot of the Wind Elemental Machine "Zefholm." A fast aerial machine powered by her emotions and prana energy, Zefholm makes Alia a dynamic, flashy presence on the battlefield. Alia remains very emotional and outspoken, but is eager to be more friendly and make up for the problems her previous mindset caused.

Machines
Previously a Mobile Suit fanatic, Alia is now much more open-minded about what she'll pilot. Her former hatred for 'so-called no-skill Super Robots' has become ironic, given the Elemental Machines she now uses are a hybrid between Reals and Supers. This even includes calling out attack names and powering the weapons with her emotions and prana energy.

Despite her significant shift in personality, Alia holds on to some aspects of her 'White Aegis' persona, including her favored white/dark-gold/purple color scheme on her machines.

Zefholm


Origin: Original Design based on SRW Gaiden: Masoukishin ("The Lord of Elemental") Type: Unique B-Class Wind Elemental Machine (Unique machine. Guardian Spirit: Tempest) Users: Langran Kingdom (La Gias) Height: 27.2 Meters (Size 5) Weight: 39.8 Tons

Armament: Hyper Railgun, Valkyrie Halberd, Caloric Missile system (Magical type), Tornado, 6x Wing Beams

Special Attacks: Raging Storm, Void Slasher (Halberd), Radiant Buster, Aegis Rush (Combo of firing railgun and wing beams, with halberd strikes added), Tempest Divide

Special Features: Prana Converter, Spirit Radar, High-Speed Independent Flight (including leaving and re-entering atmosphere), Direct Interface Controls (see overview), Blessing by a B-Class Wind Spirit

Overview: Zefholm is one of roughly twenty unique Elemental Machines designed by Langran Kingdom in response to a prophecy of doom at the hands of Volkruss, a God of Destruction. Construction was halted during the attacks on the capital (approx. late-NCA 117 to mid-NCA 118), then resumed once the nation was stable again. A high-speed flying unit, Zefholm is primarily meant to deploy wherever it is needed on the battlefield and strike with long range attacks. Completed in late March NCA 119, Prince Feir assigned it to Alia to reward her ongoing dedication to protecting Langran since her arrival in late December NCA 118. Despite being a B-Class machine, it is one of the most recent unique Elemental Machines designed by Langran and its performance is only slightly below that of the Elemental Lords such as Cybuster and Granveil.

Zefholm is piloted by a direct connection with its chosen pilot. Alia sits in the cockpit and holds on to a pair of magical orbs that establish the connection. She need only think about what to do, and Zefholm will carry it out as best as it can. Most attacks require an infusion of prana energy from Alia, and extended use of the machine in heavy combat will tire her out. Note the direct connection is not sufficient for the Feedback Mech_Ability, but it is enough to have some IC ramifications. Effects include the pilot feeling some of the pain the machine does, feeling tired after significant prana usage, etc.

Blowel


Origin: SRW Gaiden: Masoukishin ("The Lord of Elemental") Type: Mass Production C-Class Earth Type Elemental Machine Users: Langran Kingdom (La Gias) Height: 26.1 Meters (Size 5) Weight: 46.5 Tons

Armament: 1x Pulse Laser, 2x Missile Rack (containing several Anti-Air Missiles and Caloric Missiles - solid type), 2x Linear Railgun, 1x Plasma Sword

Alia's Unique Attacks: Shatter Point, Aegis Rush, Terra Geyser

Special Features: Prana Converter (enables magical attacks if pilot is capable of using prana energy), Spirit Radar, magical blessing by a C-Class Earth Spirit, direct interface controls (see overview)

Overview: One of Langran Kingdom's primary machines, the Blowel is a mass-production version of the Diablo. Armed primarily for long range attacks and using heavy armor, it falls into a fine niche between heavy fire support units like the GM Cannon II and direct combat units like the GM Custom, leaning more towards the former. Most Blowels only attack with technological weapons, but Alia has learned to harness sufficient prana energy to use a pair of Earth-themed magical attacks. While the Blowel is a 'techno-magical' machine with elements of both high-tech and magic, the most unusual feature is it has a direct interface between the pilot and machine like all other elemental machines do. The pilot need only sit down and lay hands on the two control orbs set where joysticks would normally be, and then they can control the Blowel by thinking and projecting emotions; if the Blowel can carry out the idea being conveyed, it does so. This results in a significant connection between pilot and machine.

Note the direct connection is not sufficient for the Feedback Mech_Ability, but it is enough to have some IC ramifications. Effects include the pilot feeling some of the pain the machine does, feeling tired after significant prana usage, etc.

History and Acquisition: Shortly after returning her Rick Dias and Schutzwald to Orb for reassignment, Alia went to La Gias for training. She convinced Prince Feir of the Langran Kingdom to take her in, and she was assigned a Blowel. Alia was given lessons in its use in return for using her skills to help protect the region, and this has since turned into her formally joining Langran's army.

Former Machines
Rick Dias (Returned to Orb for reassignment) Schutzwald Unit 3 (Returned to Earth Federation approx. March 12, NCA 119. Now used by Carris Nautilus.)

Background Information
Alia was until recently primarily known in tournament-oriented communities devoted to Burning PT, where she had a nearly universally positive reputation and was very helpful to both new and veteran players. That was compromised by her former friends learning that she has joined a 'terrorist' group like the Orb Union, and eventually she completely cut off contact from the game and its players. Even her old custom piloting suit, once a symbol of her obsession with the concept of ace pilots, has been left in a closet and is unlikely to see much use from now on.

In mid-NCA 118, she met Dawn Lux Valeria, an Elemental Machine pilot from Langran. Impressed by Dawn's behavior and stories of the Kingdom's way of life, Alia reached out to try a Langran/Orb alliance and relief program to help the kingdom, but was politely turned away. Nonetheless holding a favorable view of them, they were the inspiration to turn her life around once she finally came to terms with her previously obsessive mindset being unacceptable. She moved to Langran, and convinced Prince Feir to let her learn how to use Elemental Machines in return for protecting the kingdom. This would later turn into full citizenship and joining their army. During this time she initially used a Blowel, but was later chosen by Zefholm in light of her intense, loyal service.

During early NCA 119, she began to have growing discontent with Orb, upset at how a friendly fire incident regarding (H)allelujah Haptism was handled. From her point of view, he tried to kill her with no good reason during a battle in Africa, and Princess Cagalli only spoke with him afterward but did not check up on Alia until months later when the issue was forced by circumstance. Combined with Langran's ongoing affiliation with the EFA rather than Orb, Alia's loyalty to the Union sharply declined.

When the Federation seized the Orb Union Islands in mid-NCA 119, Alia briefly fled to Langran with intent to stay there, unwilling to aid the Federation and having no real home on the surface anymore in any event. She eventually became curious due to reports that the Titans were being disbanded, and more importantly by Guy Shishioh's public comments that he hoped the Federation could reconcile with former Orb members. Initial meetings with Guy left Alia cautious but interested, though a DC invasion (led by Adler Koch) of kingdoms neighboring Langran sealed the deal; she enthusiastically attempted to make amends with the Federation. Laker Randolf met her shortly afterward, and she was allowed to return to their ranks as an ally representing Langran Kingdom.

Personality
Formerly an obsessive Federation patriot that admired high-speed real robots and their pilots, Alia's loyalties have repeatedly shifted during NCA 118 and 119. It's only in recent months that this behavior has stabilized, as events forced her to realize her previous behavior was winning few friends in any venues outside of Burning PT. Inspired by what she saw in Langran Kingdom, she moved there in attempt to improve herself.

While always benign and possessing strong morals, she used to be very interested in her own advancement and power. Since moving to Langran, Alia believes she has found a real home and people worth protecting, which has been accompanied by a marked change in her personality. While every bit as dedicated and intense as she used to be, she's now applying this to more positive pursuits and for less selfish reasons.

Generally, Alia is friendly and open when around friends and allies. No longer self-absorbed, she's interested in making up for lost time and getting on good relations with others. Most individuals in the Federation will find Alia willing to help them and establish some relationship. While driven by a fanatical loyalty to Langran Kingdom, she knows most people don't want to hear about it constantly and is thus more level in conversation. Nonetheless, she has a lot to make up for given her previously negative personality and its effects on her reputation.

While willing to do benign things to protect people at large, her real focus is on what's good for Langran. Grateful for Prince Feir giving her a chance at sharply changing her life, she loves the kingdom and its people, and it's for their sake that she tries so hard. Encounters with Guy Shishioh and Masaki Andoh have mellowed her out some however, so her fanatical devotion to Langran is tempered by more normal behavior in most conversation and relation to others.

Abilities, Equipment, and Special Notes
Alia is a Psychodriver, but currently unaware of it at this time; psychic incidents affect her but also confuse her. Some characters seem to have picked up on her psychic nature, though none have directly spoken to her about it.

Her Haro is slightly larger than usual. This is because Amuro Ray has modified it to be able to unfold into a functional refboard, and with help from Renton Thurston she has learned to be a competent lifter.

She also has the ability to channel prana (a form of spirit energy, similar to chi) into magical attacks, but only when at the controls of an Elemental Machine equipped with a proper prana converter. On foot, she can only make tiny meaningless sparks of energy, and is much better off using her refboard and pistol. Gundam Fighters and other superhumans have little to worry about against her on foot, but she's able to hold her own just fine against normal people.

Finally, she has access to minor magical items from La Gias. These usually range from utility items (magical lighting, etc.) to non-lethal means of defense. Most of the effects can be duplicated by technological means, so this is not a major advantage for her.