Holvast

Holvast van Knot – The Stick-Up Man

Class/Role: Rogue (Mastermind)
Occupation: Stick-up man, leader of a crew of thieves
Base of Operations: Old Knot District, Seregon
Weapon of Choice: Blunderbuss hidden beneath his long, tattered coat
Enemies: The Seven Sins Thieves Guild, Mandrill
Theme Song: "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" (with lyrics changed to reference Seregon)

Description:

Holvast "Bonnie" van Knot is a legendary stick-up man who has made a name for himself in the Old Knot District of Seregon by robbing thieves and criminals with style and precision. Known for his strict moral code and refusal to harm innocents, Holvast operates by targeting only those who deserve it in his eyes—other thieves, gangs, and corrupt figures. Though his actions may be illegal, his sharp mind, charm, and strict ethical boundaries have earned him a feared and respected reputation on the streets.

Holvast is openly gay, an aspect of his life he wears with pride, further marking him as unique in Seregon’s criminal underworld. He runs his crew of thieves with military-like efficiency, planning each job meticulously and using his natural charisma to lead with authority. Despite his street-level operations, Holvast is highly intelligent and capable of outsmarting more organized factions, such as the Seven Sins Thieves Guild, with whom he has a growing rivalry.

His signature move is robbing criminals while singing his rendition of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," modified with lyrics tailored to Seregon. The haunting tune, combined with the fearsome sight of his blunderbuss, sends shivers through his marks as they know trouble has arrived when Holvast begins his song.

Appearance:

Holvast cuts a striking figure in the streets of the Old Knot District. He is tall and lean, with sharp features and dark, calculating eyes that seem to miss nothing. His long, weathered coat—a relic from his younger days—hangs loosely on his frame, concealing the blunderbuss he keeps hidden beneath. His clothes are practical and understated, but his appearance is always meticulous, with a clean-shaven face and well-kept hair. Despite the rough nature of his profession, Holvast carries himself with an air of elegance and control, exuding a confidence that unnerves both his enemies and his allies.

When he begins to sing, his voice is low and melodic, a chilling contrast to the violence he often brings with him. His modified version of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" has become infamous in the criminal underworld, and many a thief has learned to flee at the first notes of his song.

Personality:

Holvast is calm, calculating, and deeply principled, setting him apart from the chaotic nature of Seregon’s criminal world. He adheres to a strict moral code, refusing to harm innocents or "civilians," as he calls them. He targets only those he deems deserving of his brand of justice—thieves, corrupt officials, and gang members—and is careful to never cross the line into unnecessary violence. Profanity is something he generally avoids, finding it distasteful and believing that language can be as powerful as any weapon.

Holvast is known for his brilliant mind and exceptional skills in surveillance, strategy, and execution. He often refers to himself in the third person, a quirk that adds to his air of confidence and control. He is not a man driven by greed but rather by a sense of order and balance—he takes from those who take too much, redistributing wealth in a way that satisfies his personal sense of justice.

Holvast’s greatest weakness is his rivalry with the Seven Sins Thieves Guild and their leader, Mandrill. As the conflict between them intensifies, Holvast has begun to slide into a dangerous, intractable feud. Despite his intelligence, the constant pressure of this war has made him more prone to rash decisions, and those closest to him fear he may lose his careful edge.

Backstory:

Holvast was orphaned at a young age and raised by his grandmother in the Old Knot District. She instilled in him a strict sense of morality and discipline, despite the rough life he grew up in. She taught him that while the world may be corrupt, it doesn’t mean you have to be. Her teachings stayed with him even as he fell into a life of crime, shaping him into a man who would take from the wicked but protect the innocent.

Holvast quickly built a reputation for being an exceptional stick-up man. His ability to plan heists, surveil his targets, and execute daring robberies without harming bystanders made him a legend in the underworld. He has led his crew of thieves for years, steadily growing in power and influence, but always with a target on his back.

His rivalry with Mandrill and the Seven Sins began when he robbed one of their caches, an act that was meant to send a message. Since then, the feud has escalated into a dangerous battle of wits and gunfire, with neither willing to back down. Holvast’s cunning has kept him ahead of the Seven Sins, but the conflict is wearing on him, pulling him deeper into the city's darkest corners.

Skills and Combat Style:

Holvast is a master of surveillance and ambush tactics, capable of reading his adversaries and anticipating their next moves with uncanny accuracy. He prefers to strike fast and hard, using his blunderbuss to terrorize his marks, but always with precision. His blunderbuss is a tool of fear as much as it is a weapon, and he wields it with skill, ensuring that his targets know they’re outmatched.

Though he is capable of violence, Holvast’s code keeps him from unnecessary bloodshed. His crew operates with similar principles, only taking what they need and avoiding harm to innocents.

• Weapon of Choice: Blunderbuss, concealed under his long coat
• Combat Tactics: Ambushes, intimidation, and well-laid plans
• Special Abilities: Surveillance, planning, tactical leadership
• Moral Code: Refuses to harm civilians or innocent bystanders

Notable Traits:

• Moral Code: Holvast has an unshakable code of ethics that sets him apart from other criminals. He refuses to harm innocents and has a disdain for unnecessary cruelty or violence.
• Third-Person Speech: Holvast frequently refers to himself in the third person, adding to his mystique and the air of authority he projects.
• Modified Song: His version of "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean" is well-known throughout the underworld, and many of his targets flee as soon as they hear him singing. The song’s lyrics have been changed to reflect the dangers of Seregon and the fate awaiting those he robs.

Relationship with the Seven Sins Thieves Guild:

Holvast is locked in a bitter conflict with the Seven Sins Thieves Guild and their ruthless leader, Mandrill. What started as a robbery of one of their treasure caches has escalated into a war of attrition, with Holvast steadily outwitting and robbing the guild at every turn. Mandrill, a man not known for forgiveness, has put a price on Holvast’s head, and the entire underworld watches their deadly chess match with interest.