TOFT

Name: Berchtwald Franz Keller; Baz ben Achiam; בַּז

Company/Class: BLU Spy

Age: 32 (January 9)

Height: 5'5"

Weight: 134lbs

Physical Description:

Dark brown eyes & hair, constant dark stubble he fights off with a straight razor.

Has a few scars; notably a gunshot wound on the right side of his chest, right by the shoulder (ironically obtained before signing up with BLU) with matching exit wound (you might notice his shoulder blades don't match if you look closely), and a slice out of his right ear from a knife fight with a RED Spy.

Detailed Description:

Franz would never call himself overly attractive, but he's secretly a bit vain, and generally rather attentive to his grooming. Not that this stops him from rolling up his trousers and wandering around barefoot when the mood strikes him, or getting his hands dirty one way or the other. He enjoys amateur escape artistry, collecting rocks (and throwing them as a distraction while he's working), target practice, and infuriating enemy Pyros (see any thread involving Clara). Usually seen drinking, nearly always wearing his uniform suit, occasionally a one black one with a bowtie. A pair of Converse sneakers and jeans have recently been added to his wardrobe, however, he finally learned the perils of black in the desert. He doesn't have a strong German accent unless he's drunk, especially tired or stressed out, or around other Germans talking... so most of the time. Has recently begun re-embracing his Jewish heritage, generally wearing a kippah off the field, amongst some other practices.

Background:

Born and raised in West Berlin near Lake Tegel (in the French occupied territory of the northern section) in a well-off family. At the age of seventeen, left home, and his parents couldn't have cared less. His father Wesley (a Jewish librarian) was the model of repression, and his mother Marlis (an actress who came from money) was always more or less self-absorbed. At the age of eighteen, he became a police officer. After recovering from being injured in the line of duty during the first year in the polizei uniform (fearlessness has its dangers) he began having serious trouble with alcoholism that lost him the job. The Builders, being less concerned about vices if he could get the job done, soon hired him on, and he's been in their employ ever since.

Personality:

Ten years of working for BLU has disillusioned him, but made him no less loyal to his superiors, cynical though he may be about them, the job, and pretty much everything. He's not averse to tomfoolery, and difficult to anger or inspire hatred (but set him off and he holds a grudge like a pro). He really, really hates being short, and you can blame his freakishly tall sister Liesl for that. (They never got along.)

Orientation:

Nearly asexual; he doesn't care about one gender any more than the other, or crave sex at all. He is, however, an unrepentant voyeur. His favourite partner is himself... while watching other people.

Relationships:

• Isa Faust Keller: His wife, a nice German woman that enjoys money and an absent husband; as far as Franz knows.
  
• Franzette Faust Keller: His 12-year-old daughter, a bookish sort that idolizes her father... now that she knows who he really is.
• Claude Brussard: This RED is hardly a rival; more like a comrade in the wrong colour suit. They fucked one time. With disguiseplay.
• Dr. James Sykes: This RED has also had a roll in the hay with Franz... just not on top and more therapeutic.
• Clara Reid: If this were actual gameplay, she'd have a "Nemesis" icon floating over her head. Not so much anymore. Somehow. They're more like love/hate friends, but even so, getting between them could be hazardous. The vendetta goes to...
• Sam Johnson: He would kill this guy and eat his heart. Also...
• Dr. Thomas Caldwell: He'd permakill him if he wasn't too terrified of him to go anywhere close enough try. After that whole thing where he got Franz gang-raped.
• Grendel James: His boss/drinking buddy/the guy that shoves paperwork at him to do.
• Gideon Argente: They were partners (read: dating) until winding up back in a BLU mental asylum; again.
  
  And his little chocolate toy poodle Adie.

Favorite weapon:

An Ambassador: her name is Isa and is his prized possession

He also carries a balisong and standard disguise kit (as any Spy does,unless it gets stolen at a bar, so he doesn't have it at present), a Cloak & Dagger, an empty fountain pen with lockpicks hidden inside it, and a set of Marlin-Daley Bottleneck handcuffs that he doesn't have a key for. He picks them open because he couldn't be bothered to replace the key after he lost it years before. Also, a flask and a silver lighter he stole from the RED Spy that cut his ear, after he killed him.

More Visual Aids
Newer images at the top.

• Franz at work
  
• Another I drew
• For a fullsize of the image up there
• Berchtwald photographed in 1958
• Gideon did the most amazing Franz & Gid
• She also did Gren and Franz swapping classes in 'Anything You Can Do...'
• By Gid; Franz pictured on the right.
• Grendel made a hobbit Spy.
• Better of Gideon's drawing at top of page.
• This is an in-joke.
• Same idea, just bigger.
• Full view of new avatar, by Gideon (Franz needs a haircut)
• A sketchdump by Gideon
• Lovely lines by Monty
• With a unique pocket square by Kalil
• From the Madmen generator
• His original profile image (and inspiration)

Trivia

• Has five nieces and nephews; he only knows about one of them.
  
• Fluent in French, English, and of course, German.
• Despite his small stature, he's extremely well-endowed.
• Desperately loves sausages and sauerkraut. And is very sad about giving up on pork.
• Was raised Jewish, despite his sister being raised Protestant in the same house.
• Plays the violin; poorly.
• Was a member of the Ring deutscher Pfadfinderverbände (German Scouts) from age 11 to his Bar Mitzvah two years later.
• Always had a better relationship with his aunt Brunhilde than his mother or sister.
• Broke into Schloss Tegel (the landmark palace/former sanatorium) on a dare when he was 16.
• The only meaningful time he spent with his father was target shooting on their land. (They owned the guns illegally.)
• Paid for a doctorate in Applied Philosophy fair and square.
• Membership in Deutschen Gesellschaft für Geowissenschaften (German Geologocial Society)
• Not a virgin since that first, awkward time when he was 14 and caught with the neighbor-girl by his father. Turned out the back of the car wasn't as private as he'd thought it'd be. That time, and Horatio, are the only sex he's had without an ulterior motive.

_________________
Dr. Berchtwald Franz Keller - Anu Laar - Oksanochka Vissarionovich Alexandrova

The Mojave Desert, Nevada

The Good Old Days

Target Practice - Shimon
In which Franz meets a RED Scout in the desert.

A Dangerous Game - Clara
In which Franz plays cat & mouse with a RED Pyro on the battlefield... that turns into an all-out fight.

Feeling Nostalgic - Hubert
In which Franz wanders into the sewers and finds more than just water.

One Foodie to Another - Clara & Enzo
In which Clara & her Engineer try to have a quiet dinner... and Franz makes an irritating discovery.

Croikey! He hit me! - Wes, Clara, & Friends
In which Franz gets into a snowball fight.

Bother Bother Bother - Tony
In which Franz tries to have some peace and quiet... and a Scout interrupts.

Quiet Welcome - Gideon
In which Franz finds an intriguing new member of BLU at the trainyards.

Worse Than a Vetted Dog - Gideon & Olek
In which Gideon doesn't like Medics, at all. Even nice ones.

Field Trip - Gideon & Wes
In which Franz & Gideon take a trip with a RED Sniper out to a canyon... with liquor.

Feeling Faint - Gideon & Ulrich
In which Gideon still doesn't like Medics one bit and Franz meets another Berliner.

Sidelines - Shimon
In which Franz meets a RED Scout just off the battlefield for some conversation and brief gunplay.

Where Did This Come From? - Gideon
In which Gideon kisses Franz... and Franz likes it.

Open All Night - Gideon & Clara
In which Franz tries to enjoy a night on the town with Gideon, but finds a barfight with Clara, instead.

Shaken, Not Stirred - Gideon, Clara, Enzo, and Friends
In which Franz plays bartender at a Christmas party.

Eye See You - Shimon & Gideon
In which Gideon pokes out a prosthetic eye and Franz is hungover.

Comfort Food - Vladmir
In which Franz is hungry but doesn't know how to cook.. but apparently this RED does.

One Way Streets - Grendel
In which Franz helps his Troop Leader escape from their base by stealing a car.

Happy Birthday, Now Go Away - Clara
In which Franz throws a pie and gets into a fistfight for his birthday.

Cleanup Post-Hostilities - Ulrich
In which Franz needs to get patched up and handling genitals was never more unsexy.

A Drink on the Roof - Ulrich & Gideon
In which Franz's birthday leads to conversation and wine under the stars, and Gideon admits this Medic isn't so bad.

The Art of Voyeurbating - Gideon, Brad & Chad
In which Franz's sexual habits are discussed... and lead to Gideon participating with some help from roommates.

Derailed - Monty, Clara & Friends
In which the train comes in and leads to minor chaos and a friendly RED Sniper.

They're Everywhere - Kalil & Gideon
In which Franz always loves to harass RED Pyros... especially new ones.

It Came From the Deep - Grendel & Tentacle Beasties
In which Franz tries to shave, but an oddly-behaving Troop Leader and an unexpected guest intervene.


Dealing With Dr. Voltaire

My Dear Franz...
A letter from Horatio.

Relapse - Gideon
In which Gideon finds a letter and isn't happy about it. At all.

Relapse, Cont. - Gideon, Dr. Voltaire
In which Franz does what Gideon tells him to... unfortunately.

Lazy Saturdays - Clara & Barry
In which two REDs try to have a nice campfire under the stars and Franz is piss drunk.

Shave & a Haircut - Claude (and Gideon and Vladimir...)
In which Franz participates in grooming and there are Spies everywhere.

The Short End of These Sticks - Monterey & Ethan
In which Franz is shown who is the boss with a flying jar of urine.

Sweet Tooth - Pepin & Gideon
In which Gideon makes a new friend and Franz provides chocolates.

Ain't No Place to Lose Your Mind - Clara & Vladimir
In which Franz gets an unexpected guest in the middle of the night.

Mind Your Manners! - Clara, Tony, Friedrich
In which Franz lurks in the Med Bay watching over... Clara.

We're Never Simple - Gideon
In which Franz has had too much liquid courage on a mission to repair his relationship with Gideon.

Live and Let Live? Ha! - Harrison
In which Franz runs into an odd RED Sniper that is also looking to take five from the fight.

General Inspection - Sam
In which Franz dresses as a meek Civilian to gather some intel on a particular RED Engineer.

Cabin Fever - Clara & Denby
In which Franz meets a new RED Solider while he finds Clara with some information.

I Tol' You Not to Touch That Durn Thing - Julius
In which Franz's Cloak & Dagger gets some TLC from a cranky Engineer.

We Have Guns & Get in Fights - Clara
In which Franz has been playing mopey hermit in the desert... and someone's gone and found him.

There's a Spah Round Here! - Sam & Barry
In which Franz takes his harassment of Sam face-to-face... with a French accent and no small amount of malice.

Killin' Time - Grendel & Jean-Félix
In which Franz is found in an unexpected place, with his shiny new toy.

Twenty Questions Game - Rori
In which a RED Sniper goes looking for Franz... who isn't as helpful as she would have liked.

Oh, Is This Your Bed? - Nigel
In which Franz tries to take a nap in Grendel's office... but it's someone else's now.

Your Leaders are Wasted Again - Grendel (and others)
In which Franz and Grendel spend some time with employee files and a bottle of whiskey.

A Little Won't Hurt - Gideon
In which Franz wants to take his partner out to the carnival to get away from it all.


After Dr. Caldwell

Es ist eine Falle, Mäuschen - Thomas
In which Franz is tired and lets his guard down in the RED med bay... not a smart thing to do.

Come Here Often? - Sam & Jean-Félix
In which Franz just wants a quiet Sunday afternoon in a bar, but gets some unwanted company, instead.

Hobbies & Interests - Rémy
In which Franz meets the newest BLU Spy... an exhibitionist with champagne.

Raspizdyay - Shimon, Denby, & Clara
In which a familiar face returns, Franz steals a rocket launcher, and Clara is promoted.

House of Cards - Grendel & Claude
In which Franz tries to take a nap behind a couch, but ends up drinking and taking pot-shots at the battlefield.. in his underwear.

The Importance of Punctuality - Gideon & Voltaire
In which Franz finds his partner in a bad way... and takes care of him.

Anything You Can Do... - Grendel & Sam
In which Franz trades classes with Gren... until something else catches his attention.


Being Gideon, Literally

Difficulties - Gideon
In which a Respawn accident leads to... a switcheroo.

Suck & Blow (Or: Your Leaders are Stoned Again) - Grendel
In which still-bodyswapped Franz finds Gren with a little more than liquor on a rooftop.

Squid Sitting - Grendel & Émile
In which Gren needs a favour, and Franz is handy... and reliable, apparently.

Ya Like Dags - Mel & Ben
In which Franz runs into a pair of Scouts in the Kennels.. and isn't pleased.

A Faster Way - Gideon
In which Franz contrives to get his own body back, without the help of any Medics.

Problem Solving Methods of Hired Killers - Wes & Voltaire
In which Franz asks a friend when taking out a hit on a teammate, then escapes to Germany.

Two Letters
One to Grendel, one to Gideon, as Franz leaves without saying goodbye.

Long Distance
In which Franz attempts to contact Gideon... and does, eventually.

Toftmann Island, Nova Scotia

Single Husband & Father

So, What Did I Miss? - Clara
In which Franz returns to the job, in the new base, with some new jewelry.

Everybody Eats When They Come to My House - George & Atamu
In which Franz impersonates a certain RED Pyro and eats pancakes.

All Pinstripes & Cigarettes - BLU Spies
In which Franz holds a meeting.

Know Who Has The Keys - Julius
In which Franz takes back temporary command of the troop by putting the Lead Engineer in the basement.

The Model of Professional Ethics - Atamu
In which Franz is working Human Resources angles to a possible defector to BLU... who is confused.

Lost & Found - Friedrich
In which Franz assigns a new BLU Head Medic... happily.


Demons & REDs

Das Messer sieht man nicht - George
In which Franz kills a RED Medic. Over, and over.

Haschischzigaretten und Du - George
In which Franz uses some police training on a suspect Medic he's been killing all day... only to find he's not so suspect.

Spider! - Daniel & Felix
In which a spider may or may not be explosive.

So I Heard You Like Bonk! - Mel & Chris
In which a requisition is filed.

Goddamnit Mel - Mel
In which Franz takes his little dog for a walk and she makes a friend.

Playing the Part - Claude
In which Franz has sex with Claude disguised as Gideon to battle some demons. Sex! Alert the media!

All I Want For Christmas - Gideon
In which Franz picks up the real Gideon from Anger's Bay.

Le Diable Chie Toujours au Même Endroit - Gideon, The Ghost
In which Voltaire does some haunting.

I Hear Frozen Octopus is a Delicacy in Some Cultures - Émile, Tim, & Rudy
In which Émile is too cold, Tim is in the wrong base, and Franz is drunk and naked.

The French Disease - Gren & Fritz
In which a visit to the Infirmary is necessary, once it's revealed Claude had a little... condition.

Polar Bears are Not Extinct - George, Sykes, & Gunner
In which there is drunk driving and skinny dipping in a frozen lake.

Shh, I'm Trying To Sleep! - Grendel
In which Franz winds up in Gren's water tower and not much is said about it.

No Really, I Hate Your Stupid Dog - Gideon
In which Franz and Gideon go for a walk, with Adie and picking flowers.

Not Just Ghost 'Bump' In The Night - Sam Johnson
In which Franz follows Sam around a bit... just to remind him that he's there.

Intruding on a Lady's Privacy - Ms. Johnson
In which Franz makes a visit, and gets an offer to do violence to Ma's little boy.

Say Auf Wiedersehen to Your Secret Crap - Nigel
In which the Intelligence is secured.

Sugar & Spies - Claude & Co.
In which there is a RED Spy meeting and Franz invites himself.. quietly.

Red Tape - Julius
In which a recording is listened to and a bargain struck... albeit short-lived.

Picture Your Boss Naked - Juan
In which Franz is naked in the sauna.

Paint the Town BLU - Puny, Gideon, Chase, Andreas, Ames
In which a new Engineer arrives and Franz is accidentally hallucinating.


Finding Religon

Get Off My Floor - Clara
In which Franz is a drunken sobbing mess.

Run a Few Films - George & Dr. Sykes
In which two REDs throw an unsuccessful movie show and Franz invites himself. Despite being terrified of Sykes.

Bigger Where it Counts - Sykes
In which Franz attempts seduction, accomplishes boot-polishing.

Half Right - Ames
In which a more sober Franz picks up a lost Soldier from the ferry.

I'm what?!....Oh dear... - Sasha
In which BLU gets another Chief Medic, again. And Franz plays with his gun.

"No person has drunk a better draught than anger..." - Samir
In which Franz is a rooftop pest... nothing new, really.

A VERY long distance Respawn... - Jäger & Sasha
In which a Medic suddenly appears out of thin air.

While the Getting's Good - Clive
In which stealing from the kitchen occurs.

The Captain's Daughter - Ames & Jo
In which Franz welcomes a new recruit on Rosh Hashanah.

All's Well That Ends Well - Rémy
In which Franz falls down a well.

Not Compensating For Anything - Sykes
In which Franz takes James on a weekend drive and tells all.


Franz Keller, CO

Philosophum Non Facit Barba - The Inspector
In which Franz is promoted.

Need a New Wingman - Ames
In which Franz is moving and offers a Soldier a job.

Bright and Early, Wednesday Morning - Ames, BLUs
In which speeches are made before capturing points.

- AU Threads -

Mr. & Mrs. Keller - Clara (guest-starring Sébastien)
The Midwest, 1968: In which Franz and Clara are married and living in suburbia. Take cover.

Une Belle Nuit - Claude (guest-starring Gideon)
Paris, 1942: In which Franz is mistaken for a Nazi informant by the French resistance... and doesn't quite walk away.

As OOC As Possible - Julius, Gideon... so far
It's exactly what it sounds like and is nothing but shenanigans.

Don't Be a Medic; Be a Med-dude - Julius
In which very little occurs.

Octopational Therapy - TentaMel
In which Franz is a betentacled abomination teaching a younger abomination how to swim.


Supers of Redblu City

Once Upon a Time - Clara
Redblu City, 1948: Two super-powered, orphaned, homeless children find each other...

Suddenly..! - Julius & Ludwig
Redblu City, 1967: Prequel to Meanwhile. Franz has been incorporeal for a long time... Julius fixes it, with strings attached.

Meanwhile... - Julius, Clara, Sam, Atamu
Redblu City, 1968: Superpowers AU is go! And Franz is working for the flamboyant bank robber.

Across Town... - Julius & Claude
In which Franz recruits a new member of Julius's super-powered crew, and invites him into their bunker hideout.[/list]

Name: Horatio (Experiment #1)

Description: His face and torso appear like any normal human; very French in appearance, with pronounced cheekbones and quite a nose on him, straight brown hair and brown eyes. He does, however, have shark-like teeth, sharp claws instead of fingernails, and an impressive set of blue and gray tentacles.

Bred as a secret weapon, he has the innate ability to cloak and disguise without the use of technology, and is adept at mimicking voices and accents. Lacking gills, he does have a set of lungs that are efficient enough to be capable of breathing both air and water. While he must keep well hydrated, he can survive in wet or dry environments indefinitely.

Much of his animalistic nature is apparent under the veneer of civilization he was taught. He kills for pleasure, not for food.

Background: Born in German-occupied France, during the early stages of Project G.A.I.A. At the time only a few scientists were involved, and the Companies were skeptical... so his birth, and early years, were largely ignored. By the time he was nine, and people realized he'd not only survived, but flourished, as a potential predator, he was trained to work for BLU as a Spy, given a rudimentary education mainly focused on linguistics, then sent into the field as a teenager, with the first head of Project G.A.I.A. going with him.

Horatio's success under the first head Medic's upbringing prompted the experiments to continue.

While he occasionally disguises himself as a normal human to socialize, he's mainly reclusive when not stalking or attacking. He's made few personal relationships in his life, one of which, with a RED (that resulted in the death of the Medic that raised him), had him re-assigned to a remote base in the Canadian wilderness, where he was partnered up with a certain German Spy.

Relationships: Has never met any of the other experiments; he believed himself to be the only one for many years, until a Medic sent to check up on his health from the Project let it slip that there were others. He is still at the Canadian posting, though remains in occasional contact with Franz.

Company/Class: BLU (Tenta)Spy

_________________
Dr. Berchtwald Franz Keller - Anu Laar - Oksanochka Vissarionovich Alexandrova

Name: Adie

Description: A chocolate brown teacup poodle, weighing about 2½ lbs, seen in a black sweater with pearl buttons in the winter, various expensive collars year-round. Extremely well-trained (to respond to German commands), quiet for a lapdog, very interested in investigating strangers for security and/or attention purposes.

Background: Purchased by Franz on his trip to Germany, intended to be a gift to his daughter; Franzette declined, opting for a large breed. But he didn't have the heart to return her, so Adie was named and has been with him ever since.

Relationships: Owned by Franz. Walked by Mel. Acknowledged politely by the Inspector.

Company/Class: BLU Guard Dog, rawr.

_________________
Dr. Berchtwald Franz Keller - Anu Laar - Oksanochka Vissarionovich Alexandrova

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