Jonathan Cro-Magnon
Contents
Jonathan "Jon Crow" Cro-Magnon, of Ethereal Tides, Kingdom of Polaris
”Pray to your deity, for I will show you no mercy”
"You're gonna get some serious arthritis, dude!"
"Prepare to meet Keranos! *Launches Arrow*"
"*animal noises as a response to a blow to the genitals*"
Jonathan "Jon Crow" Cro-Magnon is a Amtgard player character persona portrayed and created by Mr. Crow Jr.
Fictional Character Biography
Jonathan Cro-Magnon, "Crow" for short, is born of one of the finest Archers from the West and an alchemist from the East. Living a life of privilege, he was forced to enroll into Ranger school, to become a skilled archer like his father. Unfortunately, it was very physical and regimented, at the time Crow could not make the cut and failed it. Fearing shame, he took his equipment: including his Father's Longsword, the Magnon Opus, his own shortsword rapier, a shield he "borrowed" from a Crusader obsessed with Jerusalem, and left town.
Living as a fugitive, he paid for food and shelter by becoming a minstrel, one that wasn't particularly any good, in fact many of his companions have broken his instruments.
During his travels, he hears tales of legends and heroes, he was especially influenced by the exploits of men like Robin Hood, Dread Pirate Roberts, and Japanese archer Minamoto no Tametomo among other legends, and wish to someday lead his own band of merry men to steal from the rich and help the poor.
He craves that camaraderie, while he is a free spirit, he can be unusually determined, loyal, and disciplined in unorthodox ways, he prefers to be charismatic and witty, enjoying his time with song, jokes, and drink, always up for a good time. Although he is plagued by guilt and hopes to redeem himself through his new quests. He is polytheistic and a big fan of Obad Hai and Olidamara, the God of Nature and God of Wine Women and Song respectively.
Staying at Ethereal Tides for the time being, he has made many new allies who have accepted him even in the unlikeliest of circumstances: friars, vikings, monks, former and current pirates: all friends. He is currently working as a mercenary to hoard his wealth, he does however feel there is something bigger for him out there...
As he travels East, originally to regain honor and good standing but also to find a new home, he adapts more Eastern influences, going from a Western European Ranger type to something closer to a Eastern Asian Ronin or Samurai, going from a happy go lucky minstrel to a stoic guardian who adopted the code of Bushido.
Characteristics and Traits
Crow plays primarily as Scout, considered a highly versatile class, preferring the weapon options of sword and board as well as bow and arrow, and utilitarian, counter-assassin spell list.
Playful and free-spirited in nature, but also a plagued with guilt and a strong sense of duty and camaraderie.
He cares especially about his company and is almost always up for a good time with friends.
He is a self proclaimed cunning linguist despite being a relatively silent protagonist.
His travels continue to mature him, as he varies from playful, goofy, and free spirited to stoic, silent, and determined.
Jon Crow also has worn a few disguises in the past to keep a low profile, or establish a new identity: such as a Tengu Archer.
He cannot actually play an instrument, but has the capability to sing baritone-bass.
In Real Life
Started Amtgard in September of 2016, heard about it several months before but joined after being relieved from 3 years as director of airsoft operations at Ironman Paintball.
Consulted Friar Vogel, Ari, and Redleaf before actively participating.
Whilst having little actual sword combat training (actual extent was a demo by Samurai Dan at Anime Minneapolis), Mr. Crow Jr gets the bulk of techniques from mixing an application of Boxing, Form II Makashi lightsaber combat, fencing, and tips and tricks used by other more experienced Amtgard fighters.
His first set of garb came from a Forum Robin Hood costume with other accessories added.
In real life, a majority of his weapons were actually created by weaponsmith Zen also from Ethereal Tides.
His usual group (Enoch Son of Thom and Redleaf) is actually comprised of his airsoft team who also do Amtgard, the Rednecks and Gentlemen.
He met a majority of his Parkmates in college (aforementioned Friar Vogel, Ari, Shaggy) or at his old job at Ironman Paintball and Airsoft (Zen, Tazz, La Sparta, Smurfi, Wolf)
Affiliated Groups
Lorekeepers of Alexandria
Ethereal Tides
Belted Family
N/A
Notable Accomplishments
Order of the Orion 1
Order of the Griffin 2
Order of the Owl 1
Order of the Rose 2
Order of the Smith 1
Order of the Warrior 2
Positions
Apprentice for Lorekeepers of Alexandria
Trivia
The name Jonathan Cro-magnon has several references. The initials spell JC, for Jesus Christ. In early planning, he was going to alternate between Archer and Assassin, Jonathan comes from Captain Jonathan Archer of Star Trek: Enterprise, as well as the class Archer. The "Cro-" in "Cro-Magnon," comes from Mr. Crow Jr but is also a reference to an early transitional form for humans in the European Upper Paleolithic, and the self deprecating humor of sometimes looking like a caveman.
The shortening of the name becomes "Jon Crow," an unintentional pun to Game of Thrones character Jon Snow.
His family heirloom, the English Broadsword Magnon Opus is a play on words of "Magnum Opus." often considered the most important or iconic piece of work or prized possession.
After reaching level 4, on his belt, he started carrying a husky dog plushie and calls it a wolf pupper animal companion, a reference to Dungeons and Dragons/Pathfinder where at level 4, the Scout equivalent class Ranger has an option to gain an animal companion, wolf and riding dog are often on the list of starting companions.
Further references are from Enoch often calling him "Ranger." regardless of actually completing ranger school or being a Druid and getting "Ranger".
The animal companion is named Lulu, a reference to the Samurai Jack episode "The Tale of X9."
In the Post Bulletin Picture, Jon Crow's Japanese headband or "Hachimaki," says "Divine Wind" or Kamikaze. IRL it was purchased at Tsukiji Fish Market.
Personal Herladry mixes cultures: it takes the background element of European heraldry of colors, with the simplistic design elements of Japanese heraldry or "Mon/Kamon," with the Kanji "Carasu," or "Crow," with a feather on the bottom.
Additional Images
An aged Jon Crow in a Kimono firing arrows, enchanted as a clay golem
More Information
- Mr. Crow Jr. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MrCrowJr
