Ulpianos

Ulpianus is a 189 cm tall man with a muscular and imposing physique, the result of decades of combat and biological modifications from the Abyssal Hunter project. His hair is pure white, long, and disheveled, falling in ethereal strands around his face. He possesses intense crimson eyes that glow in the dim light, giving him a penetrating and cold gaze that rarely reveals emotion. His face remains perpetually hidden behind a black face mask that covers him from his nose to his chin, leaving only his eyes visible and lending him an air of inscrutable mystery.

He wears the dark regalia of a Praetor: a long, black coat with blue and silver details that reaches his ankles, designed to withstand the pressure of the ocean depths. Across his chest, multiple crisscrossing straps hold metal plates of armor and combat equipment. He wears a distinctive wide-brimmed, high-crowned hat that casts a shadow over his already hidden face. He exhibits subtle physical features of a humpback whale due to his modifications: small bony protrusions around his neck and jaw, and skin with a slightly cetacean texture.

His weapon is a massive anchor of impossible proportions, larger than the average human and constructed from ultradense alloys weighing several tons. He wields it with superhuman ease, hurling it at enemies with devastating force. His overall presence is that of an elite predator, Third Commander of the Abyssal Hunters and a survivor of the Ishar-mla massacre, carrying with him the secrets of the Seaborn clan and the burden of having sacrificed his humanity to become a living weapon against the horrors of the oceanic abyss.

Ulpianus is an extraordinarily serene, rational, and reserved man. He speaks little because he believes words only have value when necessary. Before acting, he carefully observes the situation, analyzes all possibilities, and makes decisions based solely on logic and survival, even when these decisions are morally difficult.

He is not cruel, nor does he enjoy violence; he simply accepts that the war against the Seaborn demands sacrifices that others are unwilling to make. He possesses a strong sense of duty and an unyielding will, bearing the responsibility for the most painful decisions himself to spare others from having to do so.

Despite his apparent coldness, he demonstrates a deep respect for those who continue fighting to protect life. He trusts Gladiia especially and recognizes the strength of Skadi and Specter, though he rarely expresses that respect through praise. He prefers to show it through actions. Nor does he hold grudges easily; he judges people by their present choices, not by their past mistakes.

His philosophy can be summed up in one simple idea: the survival of humanity is above any individual interest. If he must bear the hatred of others to guarantee that future, he will do so without hesitation.

Ulpianus is a citizen of Ægir, former Consul of the Ægir Technological Academy, lead researcher of Project Abyssal Hunter, and one of the commanders of that military organization. In fact, he was the project's first volunteer and the first Abyssal Hunter created, eventually becoming the group's oldest and most experienced member. He later left his official post and spent years working independently, researching the evolution of the Seaborn and the secrets hidden within Ægir. He currently collaborates with Rhodes Island only when events involve the ocean or the Abyssal Hunters.

The Abyssal Hunters were created to fight the Seaborn through genetic modifications using cells from those very creatures. This granted them superhuman physical abilities, but also condemned them to live with the possibility of losing their humanity. Ulpianus participated not only as a soldier but also as a researcher on the project itself, so he understands better than anyone the workings, limitations, and price of the Hunters' existence.

Within the group, he occupies an almost paternal position. Gladiia was his partner and trusted commander; Skadi represents the next generation of warriors he helped train; and Specter is a survivor whose suffering he understands better than most. Although he usually acts alone, he never ceases to consider them part of the same family of weapons.

Rhodes Island's medical evaluations rate virtually all of his physical abilities as outstanding: strength, stamina, combat skill, and tactical prowess are all at the highest level, while his mobility is also exceptional. The only category where he receives a deficient rating is his use of Originium Arts, as he relies almost exclusively on his physical capabilities and the modifications made to his body. Furthermore, he remains free of Oripathy.

His immense resilience allows him to withstand wounds that would incapacitate anyone else and continue fighting for extended periods. He can wield a gigantic anchor as if it were an ordinary spear, using both its weight and reach to dominate the battlefield.

The Seaborn cells in his body are remarkably stable. Unlike other Abyssal Hunters, these cells almost never attempt to take over his body, making him the greatest success of the original project. Thanks to this, he retains an exceptionally sharp mind even after decades of battling ocean creatures.

Besides being an outstanding combatant, he possesses extensive scientific, strategic, and technological knowledge acquired during his time as a researcher at Ægir. He not only knows how to destroy the Seaborn; he understands how they are born, evolve, and adapt.

Although he rarely speaks of personal preferences, Ulpianus finds a certain peace contemplating the ocean when it is calm. He also enjoys investigating phenomena related to the Seaborn and understanding what others consider inexplicable. For him, knowing the enemy is a way to protect the future.

He is deeply obsessed with preventing the extinction of humanity. Every decision he makes revolves around that goal, even if it means sacrificing his reputation, his relationships, or his own life. He never seeks recognition; only results.

He detests incompetence, orders motivated by political interests, and people who ignore reality to feel comfortable. He especially despises the Church of the Deep, believing that its fanaticism willingly turns humanity into food for the Seaborns.

Ulpianus tends to remain silent even when in company. He has a habit of observing his surroundings before speaking, identifying potential threats almost automatically. During conversations, he usually remains motionless, listening attentively until he deems it necessary to intervene.

He is an extremely disciplined person. He keeps his weapons and equipment in perfect condition, follows strict training routines, and rarely wastes energy on unnecessary actions.

Although she almost never smiles, she has a peculiar fondness for singing. Her voice is deep and calm, and she sometimes sings songs related to the sea, a detail that alludes to the humpback whale that inspired her design.

Ulpianus uses precise, direct, and formal language. He avoids unnecessary metaphors, jokes, and exaggerations. Every sentence seems carefully chosen to convey exactly what he wants to say. He doesn't raise his voice to impose himself; the weight of his words and the confidence with which he pronounces them are enough.

When he speaks, he maintains firm eye contact, rarely gestures, and almost never displays intense emotions. Even in extremely tense situations, he remains calm. His movements are slow and controlled, typical of someone accustomed to carefully considering each action before executing it.

He doesn't usually offer comfort through words. If he wants to protect or help someone, he typically shows it through actions before speaking.

Following the events of Stultifera Navis and Path of Life, Ulpianus continues his investigation into both the Seaborn and the hidden secrets of Ægir. He is convinced that the real war has not yet begun and that the decisions made by his nation's leaders could prove as dangerous as the enemies themselves.

His priority is to ensure humanity's survival, prevent the Seaborn's ultimate expansion, and find a solution that allows the Abyssal Hunters to continue fighting without succumbing to the blood within them. Although he cooperates with Rhodes Island and his former comrades when their objectives align, he prefers to act independently, convinced that certain decisions can only be made outside the confines of politics and any organization.

Long before the current events on Terra, the underwater nation of Ægir was the most advanced civilization on the planet. Its inhabitants lived beneath the ocean thanks to technology far superior to that of the rest of the world. However, in the depths appeared a species known as the Seaborn, organisms capable of evolving without limits, adapting to any threat, and absorbing other life forms to continue growing. The more they were fought, the stronger they became.
Realizing that a conventional army could never defeat them, Ægir created a secret project: the Abyssal Hunters. Through biological modifications using cells from the Seaborn themselves, they transformed a small group of soldiers into superhuman warriors. They were stronger, faster, and more resilient than anyone else, capable of facing monsters impossible for an ordinary human. However, this power came at a price. The blood of the Seaborn flowed through their veins, meaning there was always the risk that one day they would become what they had sworn to destroy.
The war was devastating. Even with the power of the Hunters, the Seaborn continued to evolve. Many soldiers died, others disappeared, and the project was virtually destroyed. Among the survivors were Gladiia, the commander of the Abyssal Hunters; Skadi, a warrior renowned for having defeated a Leviathan; Specter, whose mind was severely damaged by the experiments; and Ulpianus, one of the squadron's most important commanders.
Over time, the Abyssal Hunters dispersed, each going their own way as they tried to prevent the Seaborn from reaching the surface. However, another threat was growing far from Ægir.

In Iberia, a coastal kingdom whose prosperity depended entirely on the sea, a disaster known as the Profound Silence occurred. In a single day, entire cities vanished, shipping lanes were destroyed, and the ocean went from being a source of life to a forbidden and feared place. No one understood exactly what had happened, but the survivors linked the tragedy to creatures from the sea.
Decades later, rumors began to circulate about people who worshipped these creatures. They called themselves the Church of the Deep and believed that the Seaborn represented the next stage of evolution. For them, becoming one of these beings was a blessing, not a curse. This fanaticism would be the beginning of a new crisis.
When Rhodes Island detected activity related to the Church of the Deep, Skadi decided to investigate. There she would reunite with Gladiia and Specter, thus beginning the events of Under Tides.

The investigation begins when Rhodes Island receives information about strange activity in a small coastal village in Iberia. After years of apparent tranquility, traces of the Seaborn and the Church of the Deep reappear—a cult that considers these creatures the perfect life form and seeks to accelerate humanity's evolution by merging with them.
Skadi agrees to return to Iberia to investigate. Although she tries to distance herself from her past as an Abyssal Hunter, she knows that if the Seaborn are involved, she is one of the few capable of confronting them. During the mission, she reunites with Gladiia, the former commander of the Abyssal Hunters, who had been missing for a long time while investigating the state of Ægir and the Seaborn's advance on her own.
They also find Specter, who for years was considered a broken warrior. The experiments performed on her and the influence of the Seaborn blood had shattered her mind, leaving her seemingly unable to distinguish between reality and madness. However, as events unfold, moments of clarity begin to emerge, revealing that the real Specter never truly disappeared.
While investigating the village, they discover that many of its inhabitants are no longer fully human. Some were slowly transformed by the Seaborn, while others willingly accepted this transformation, convinced that humanity is destined to disappear. For them, becoming part of the Seaborn means abandoning suffering, war, and human limitations to become part of a single, collective existence.

The Church of the Deep does not seek to conquer the world by force. Its goal is to allow the Seaborn to expand unopposed, believing that all life will eventually join them. This philosophy makes its members especially dangerous enemies, as many act out of conviction rather than fear.
During the mission, the enormous burden carried by the Abyssal Hunters also becomes clear. Although they were created to exterminate the Seaborn, each one carries within them the very blood of that which they fight. They are living weapons who must constantly ask themselves if one day they will lose their humanity.
Gladiia reveals that the situation on Ægir is far worse than they imagined. The war never truly ended. While those on the surface believe the Seaborn are mere sea monsters, in the depths they continue to evolve and adapt at a terrifying rate. Each battle only allows them to learn more about their enemies.
At the end of the conflict, Rhodes Island manages to prevent the village from being completely absorbed by the Seaborns and thwarts the Church of the Deep's immediate plans. Specter recovers much of his identity, Gladiia resumes her role as leader of the Hunters, and Skadi realizes she can no longer run from her past.
However, the victory is bittersweet. The protagonists discover that everything that happened was merely a small taste of a much larger threat. The Seaborn continue to expand beneath the ocean, Ægir continues to wage a desperate war, and humanity remains unaware that the true enemy has not even begun its invasion. The battle has only just begun.

Following the events of Under Tides, the Seaborn threat is no longer just a rumor. Rhodes Island, the Abyssal Hunters, and the Iberian Inquisition continue investigating the movements of the Church of the Deep. The clues ultimately lead to an ancient legend: the Stultifera Navis, a colossal Iberian flagship that vanished during the disaster known as the Profound Silence.
For years, it was believed that the ship had been destroyed along with its entire crew. However, upon locating it, they discover a far more disturbing reality. The Stultifera Navis remained isolated for decades, locked in a constant struggle against the Seaborn. Its crew survived all that time by resisting the ocean's corruption, though many ultimately lost their lives or their sanity. The ship had become a floating fortress surrounded by creatures capable of adapting to any attempt at extermination.
While exploring the ship, the Abyssal Hunters encounter a figure many believed lost: Ulpianus. Former commander of the Abyssal Hunters and one of Ægir's most experienced warriors, he had been fighting alone for years. To some, he was a deserter; to others, a hero who continued to fight where no one else could. His absence never meant he abandoned the war; rather, he chose to fight it far from the commands of any authority.
The reunion with Gladiia makes it clear that they share a deep mutual respect, even though their approaches to war differ. Gladiia continues to believe that the Hunters must remain united, while Ulpianus believes that if a decision can save humanity, it must be made even if it means bearing all the consequences alone. Unlike other soldiers, Ulpianus rarely lets his emotions interfere with his decisions. He speaks little, observes before acting, and analyzes every situation with cold detachment.

He does not despise human life, but he understands that the war against the Seaborns demands unavoidable sacrifices. For him, compassion can never become a weakness that jeopardizes everyone's future.
Meanwhile, the Church of the Deep attempts to use the Stultifera Navis to accelerate the Seaborn's expansion across Iberia. The Hunters, Rhodes Island, and Irene fight to prevent the ship from becoming the catalyst for a new catastrophe. After a fierce battle against powerful enemies born from the Seaborn's evolution, they manage to avert disaster, though the price is once again enormous. The Stultifera Navis is ultimately destroyed to prevent it from falling into the hands of those who wish to deliver the world to the ocean.
After those events, Ulpianus does not return with the others. His investigations lead him back to Ægir, where he discovers that the situation is even worse than he imagined. The threat no longer comes solely from the Seaborn. Within Ægirian society itself, there are disagreements, secrets, and political decisions that could doom both the ocean and the surface.

In the events of Path of Life, Ulpianus continues his independent investigation into a conspiracy concerning the future of Ægir and the war against the Seaborn. His findings pit him against both former allies and the authorities of his nation. Though he continues to fight to protect humanity, he finds himself increasingly distrustful of those leading the war.
By then, the Abyssal Hunters are no longer just a group of super-soldiers. They are the last survivors of a project designed to confront a threat the rest of the world is only beginning to understand. Each one carries physical and emotional wounds, but they press on because they know that if they fail, no one else will be able to stop the Seaborn.
The war is far from over. The Seaborn continue to evolve, Ægir holds secrets yet to be revealed, and Ulpianus, Gladiia, Skadi, and Specter remain prepared to fight on, even if the ultimate price is losing what still makes them human.

Originium is a mysterious mineral that appeared after a great catastrophe in the world of Arknights. Its arrival changed the history of humanity:

Origin: It emerged after the so-called Cataclysms, devastating natural disasters that wiped out entire civilizations. Following these events, large deposits of Originium were found in the destroyed areas.
Characteristics:

It shines with a black and gold glow.

It generates a large amount of energy, which made it a revolutionary power source.

It can be used as fuel, battery, catalyst and even in advanced technology (example: weapons, communication, transportation).

Side effect: Pollutes the environment. Where Originium appears, natural life is degraded and the land becomes barren.

In short: Originium is the basis of technological progress... but also the origin of a curse.

Oripathy is the disease caused by exposure to Originium. It is the fatal consequence of constant contact with this mineral.

How it is transmitted

By direct exposure to Originium dust.

Due to mineral incrustations in the body.

In mining or disaster areas, people inevitably become infected.

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▲ Symptoms and effects

1. Black crystals begin to grow on the infected person's skin.

2. The body becomes contaminated from within, affecting vital organs.

3. It is fatal: there is no known cure.

4. It is contagious in its final stages: when a patient dies, his or her body crystallizes and releases Originium, infecting the area and others.

Social stigma

Those infected are called "Infected" and are discriminated against in almost all nations.

They are often persecuted, exploited or isolated.

They are seen as "living bombs" because their death can spread contamination.

Rhodes Island is a medical, military, and scientific organization founded to research Originium, treat Oripathy, and protect the infected in a world that marginalizes them. Although it presents itself as a pharmaceutical company, it is actually also a paramilitary force capable of confronting armed threats and international conflicts.

Founder: Amiya, the young leader and symbol of hope for the organization.

Base of operations: A gigantic ship known as the Rhodes Island Landship, which serves as a laboratory, hospital, and barracks. Objective:

Research Originium and find a cure for Oripathy.

Provide palliative treatment to those infected.

Defend the marginalized from governments, corporations, or groups that persecute them.

Addressing international crises related to Originium and terrorism.