King Viper
| King Viper | ||||||||||
| Player: | ||||||||||
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| Character Build | ||||||||||
| Origin: | Mutation
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| Archetype: | Brute
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| Security Level: | 17
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| Biographical Data | ||||||||||
| Real Name: | Lucas Hood
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| Known Aliases: | King Viper
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| Age: | 52?
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| Gender: | Male
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| Species: | Born Human
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| Ethnicity: | African-American
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| Birthdate: | March 1st
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| Birthplace: | Mercy Isle
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| Relatives: | None
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| Characteristics | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6'5
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| Weight: | 280lbs
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| Eyes: | Orange
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| Hair: | Black
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| Complexion: | Grey
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| Physical Build: | Muscular
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| Physical Features: | Snake Like Features
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| Status | ||||||||||
| Alignment: |
Lawful Neutral | |||||||||
| Reputation: |
Reputable | |||||||||
| Identity: | Semi-Secret
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| Years Active: | 2 Years
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| Base of Operations: | Paragon City, Rogue Isles
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| Citizenship: | Rogue Isles
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| Education: | High School, Arachnos
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| Occupation: | Criminal, Bouncer
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| Marital Status: | Single, Never Married
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| Known Powers and Abilities | ||||||||||
- Master Hand to Hand Combatant - Reflexes, Strength, Endurance, and Agility operate at Super Human levels | ||||||||||
| Equipment and Paraphernalia | ||||||||||
Rocket Board
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| Attributes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strength |
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Endurance |
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| Agility |
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Speed |
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| Fighting |
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Projectiles |
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| Durability |
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Resistance |
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| Intelligence |
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Psyche |
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| Intuition |
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Charisma |
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| ReldinBox Template | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Origins
Early Days
Lucas Hood was born in Mercy Island. When he was 6 years old, his mother disappeared, leaving him and his father behind to start a new life somewhere else. Lucas’s father was a good man, a strong man, who raised his son with love and values. The problem is, love and values don’t survive long in the Rogue Isles. Dangers lurked around every corner, gangs moved closer and closer to war, and strange mutated snake-men lurked in the darkness. One day when Lucas was 14, his father came home bruised and a bit battered, though alright. Lucas asked his dad what happened, but his dad brushed it off. He pressed the issue and learned that his dad had been mugged. Worse yet is that it happened just around the corner, close to their home. Lucas began to worry about the encroaching violence because he and his dad were alone.
After a day of what passed for Public School, some members of the dominant gang on the Isle known as “The Razors” started chatting up Lucas. Lucas was bigger and stronger than most the kids his age, so they had their eyes on him for some time. Usually, Lucas just tried to be respectful and keep moving, but this time he stopped. He talked to the men, explaining what had been going on. They promised him that if he joined, he would be family, and they would have his back. Lucas agreed. Once the thugs and common scum knew Lucas was with the Razors, they left his dad, and his neighborhood alone. Lucas knew his dad wasn’t stupid, and probably knew what was happening, but dad never mentioned it. Maybe he was ashamed that his son had to go to such lengths to protect him, or maybe it was just the fact that that way of surviving was the reality.
During his time with the Razors, he was able to prove himself as a capable addition. His natural size and athletic capability mixed well with the violence. He was a natural fighter, always willing to take the fight to whoever stepped to him. After all, better to take the “L” then to back down and be seen as weak. Never back down, never tolerate disrespect. These were the lessons that he learned from his new family.
Years passed, and Lucas was preparing to graduate High School. One morning, Lucas’s dad left for work, and never came home. Not like his mother, his Father wasn’t the type to abandon him. He wouldn’t just run away without a word. Unfortunately, that meant he needed to fear the worst. He searched for his dad for days, but never found him. There was no police investigation, no body was ever recovered, no funeral was ever held. He was just gone. Another victim of the Rogue Isles, another statistic in someone’s book.
After he lost his Father, Lucas leaned into the gang life completely. Feeling he had nothing left to lose, he became his most dangerous, willing to pop off with the slightest provocation. His brutality and ruthless dedication caused him to move up the ranks quickly as an Enforcer. Lucas was the perfect soldier. He didn’t need or want all the details, he didn’t care if he was kept in the dark. All he wanted to know was “who was the threat”, and “How far do you want me to take it”. Most of the time he might rough someone up, or occasionally use a beating to send a message or warning. However, he had no issue putting someone in the ground. In fact, he was maybe too good at it.
Unknown to Lucas at the time, was that the reason the Razor’s were so feared, was that they were semi-secretly backed by Arachnos. They were known in the right circles as a “feeder gang”, meant to groom and evaluate it’s members. This allowed Arachnos access to fresh recruits that were already indoctrinated into the lifestyle of violence, loyalty, keeping your mouth shut, and following orders. It was no surprise that Arachnos approached Lucas. They revealed this to him, and made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, literally. It didn’t really matter. Lucas would have accepted anyway. He was inducted into Arachnos officially and began the next chapter in his life.
Arachnos
Finally, he got a call that there was an Arachnos force in retreat, heading to the safehouse. Lucas followed his protocols, and met the Arachnos team, ensuring their safety. However, they were followed by Longbow Agents. Lucas was so excited because, the truth was, he was just itching for a fight. He lured the Agents inside, and engaged them in close quarters combat. His violence and sheer ferocity, overwhelmed the Longbow Agents in a bone-crunchingly brutal display. The Arachnos agents were extracted and everything seemed like it would go back to normal. Lucas later received a letter of recommendation from one of the Arachnos agents.
About a year later, and with the recommendation of his superiors, Lucas applied for Arachnos special operations. The training was some of the most grueling he had ever encountered. He saw men quit, he saw men die, and he himself came close to both on more than one occasion. Lucas always thought he was tough, but this training was pushing him beyond his limits. He could feel himself getting stronger. As always, the one area that Lucas excelled was the hand-to-hand combat. During these tests, which could barely be considered contests, Lucas would decimate the other recruits in one sided victories. Eventually, the Instructors began to challenge Lucas, putting him in his place.
After graduation, he was immediately sent right back to the school he had just graduated from. Once he arrived, instead of instructors screaming at him, he was greeted warmly with handshakes and big manly hugs. They laughed and joked about the training class they just finished. When Lucas asked why he was sent back there, they told him that he was going to be the new Close Quarters Combat (CQC) Trainer for Arachnos Special Forces. The reason for this was simple, they explained, it was because he held back. When he fought against the instructors, he held back, not going at them with the same brutal ferocity. The Lead Instructor asked Lucas why he did it. Lucas answered that defeating an instructor would undermine their authority and weaken the program as a whole. The Lead smiled and told him that understanding that, meant he was ready to take a larger role in Arachnos, and the other instructors wanted him there. So, Lucas began his new job as CQC Instructor for Arachnos Special Operations. The job he would hold for his entire career, up until the time of his retirement.
Retirement
Retirement.
In the normal world, it’s a good thing. It means you’ve worked your ass off, and have finally got to the point that you can relax, and live out your golden years in peace, drinking umbrella drinks on some beach. However, there’s nothing “normal” about growing up in the Rogue Isles, of being employed by gangs or Arachnos. The street Gangs of the Isles, and Arachnos did have one thing in common; Lucas had never heard of anyone retiring peacefully from either. Typically, the only way you leave is either being killed or being “retired” which was often the same thing.
Lucas had been an Instructor for decades now, coming up on his 50th Birthday. He was still a beast to be sure, but he was slower, weaker. He could feel it, they could see it. He could still beat you into the pavement, but he was tired, sore. The Instructors that had brought him on had moved to other posts or been Retired. The “new” group had been there for about 5-10 years. They were good men, strong men. Lucas had trained his replacement, a young man named Cross. He had a rough life like Lucas, like all of them. He found a purpose here in Arachnos, and was a good student. It was his time now to continue the training. Lucas knew that his 50th Birthday would also serve as his Retirement party.
When the day came, the instructors through a huge bash. Booze, music, women, the party looked more like a Bachelor party than a Retirement. They exchanged stories, and laughed. They hugged, and said their goodbyes. Some cried, some made jokes, they all knew that one day, it would be them too. There was so much respect between them, so much respect. How could you not respect a man that willingly walks to his own end with a smile. How do you not respect those that have chosen to live the same way. That’s what the party was really about. It was a celebration of life, of accomplishments, of friendship, and of inevitable ends.
As the party died down, everyone knew it was almost time. Lucas hugged his friends, and said goodbye again. He asked Cross, the man replacing him, “Cross, would you walk me out?”. Cross nodded with a bit of a forced smile. Asking someone to “walk you out” was basically asking them to be the one to “retire” you. Lucas felt it was fitting for his replacement to do it. They left the area, chatting along the way. Lucas smiled and wished Cross luck. Cross thanked him, pulled out a pistol, and put a round through Lucas's chest. The last thing he heard as everything went dark was Cross's distant voice, "Love you old man".
A New Life
Lucas’s eves snapped open as he was jarred awake gasping for air. His chest burned, his neck burned, his vision dark. He heard hissing in his ear, he reached back sharply grabbing something soft in his hands. It felt like someone’s head, sort of. He summoned his strength, slamming that head to the ground, and driving his fists into it, then through it, until he felt his knuckles touch the ground. There was more hissing around him, as his vision began to return. As he looked around, he saw snake-men around him, the same snake creatures that plagued Mercy Island. He was surrounded by piles of trash, a landfill maybe? Makes sense, since he was supposed to be dead. He looked down to his chest, there was no bullet hole. More alarming was that his skin was a pale grey, with scales, like the snakes around him. He looked at his arms, and they were the same. He struggled to his feet, but quickly gained his bearings.
After the initial shock, he felt good. No, he felt great. Better than he ever felt, even in his prime. The snakes surrounding him seemed to want no part of him after realizing he wasn’t easy prey. He was still on Mercy Island, not far from his home. He made his way back, catching strange glances from people, but they otherwise left him be. When he arrived home, he saw that he had been mutated into some kind of Snake-Human hybrid. His wounds seem to have healed, but he had a small scar on his chest from the bullet. He also had two small scars on his neck. A Snake Bite? It seemed that he survived his Retirement and was dumped in the Mercy Island landfill. The snakes went to eat him, and realizing he was still alive, decided to bite and poison him. However, his body seemed to have absorbed the venom, and merged the snake DNA with his own.
Lucas looked in the mirror, then let out a deep bellowing laugh. He was thinking about his walk home, and how even though he got some glances, there was really no issue. Only in a world like this one, could a snake-man walk down the street, and people just be like, “Meh”. The fact was, that in a world full of heroes, villains, and freaks, being part snake was barely an inconvenience. He backed up a few steps, still watching himself in the mirror. He started shadow boxing in the mirror. He felt so fast, so strong, it was incredible. He smiled in the mirror, but the strange snake smile just made him laugh again. It would seem he wasn’t going to get the “normal” retirement. What he got instead was a new life. While still technically 50 years old, he felt young again, beyond his prime, beyond his limits.
Hell yea. This was gonna be fun.
Lucas went around his old Neighborhood, re-introducing himself. Most of the people he knew in his youth had died, moved, or were now in their 50's with families of their own. Many of the single Father's didn't care for Lucas too much. Many of the single mothers liked Lucas a little too much. Most of the younger kids thought this big snake guy was pretty cool. Lucas would often go to the Basketball Courts and hoop it up with the kids. Occasionally, leaping over them and dunking on them, which admittedly, he probably enjoyed a little too much. The old gangs were pretty much gone, but new gangs took their place. Lucas made introductions with them as well. His introduction with the Gangs were violent, referring to himself as "Viper", he made it clear what would happen if any Gangs stepped into *his* hood. Hurt his people or God help you, hurt his kids, he promised them that they would beg him to die. He had no fear. He had no mercy. He would kill all of them without hesitation. 50 years of experience, 50 years of violence, they could see it in his snake like eyes. He meant every word.
Even though the Neighborhood was weary at first, they came to respect Lucas. They knew he was a criminal, but the money he stole, he put back into the neighborhood. He was their own personal Robin Hood, and protector. While they may want to take the moral high ground, the truth was, there was nobody else that gave a damn about them. He wasn't perfect, but he cared. The Gangs and "Viper" came to coexist peacefully as well. Though there was some initial friction, they came to see that at his core, he was just a OG Gangster. They showed him respect, and he returned that respect in kind. He was no Saint, his hands were as tainted as anyone's. He believed in many of the same principles they did, respect, family, loyalty. Some of the Gang Leaders would meet up with Viper, ask him about the old days, or pick his brain for advice or ideas. Viper's Neighborhood became neutral territory for all the surrounding gangs. They held massive block BBQ's, had Basketball Tourneys, and everyone was invited. There were only two rules. No colors, and no violence. Now referred to as "King Viper" by the surrounding Gangs, he became the common ground for everyone, the glue that kept the peace. Disputes still arose from time to time, but King Viper was quick to sit them down and get things settled. The gangs respected each others territory, and turned their aggression outward instead of inward. Deaths were down, profits were up, and some sense of harmony had been found.
Powers
King Viper possesses super human reflexes. In combat, his opponents appear to be moving in slow motion, making it incredibly difficult to hit him. In fact, his reflexes are so advance, some could say it borders on "combat precognition", allowing him to even dodge bullets and other projectiles, although Lucas suggests it would be foolish to try doing so repeatedly. Of all his abilities, his reflexes are the most advanced.
King Viper also possesses super human strength, though his level of strength would still be far below that of many heroes and villains. He is strong enough to punch holes through brick walls with little effort. If he pushes himself he could lift a small to medium car, or possibly punch a hole through steel. Though his body seems to constantly be evolving, he will likely never reach the level of more powerful supes.
Viper has "enhanced" endurance and agility. His endurance and (reflexes aside) agility would be scaled more at an Olympic level. Far beyond that of the average human, but not quite crossing into "super" territory. He is capable of taking on around 20 normal humans in rapid succession, but then requires a brief rest to catch his breath. Pushing beyond that slows both his reflexes and his strength. His agility allows him to run faster and further, and jump higher than any human. However, one would be hard pressed to label him as "super", when "enhanced" seems more appropriate.
Abilities
Ironically, Vipers most dangerous ability isn't even a super power. His greatest asset is that he is a master of true unarmed combat. There are no "Martial Arts" here. His fighting style is a compilation of brutal, bone-crunching, street combat techniques that have been tried, tested, and improved over the course of a violent 50 year career. Vipers knowledge of combat isn't limited to punches and kicks. He has studied, in depth, the science of violence. How the human body responds to adrenaline, cortisol, and a cocktail of other chemicals that the brain pumps into you during a fight. How the increase of heart rate leads to the loss of "Fine" and "Compound" motor controls, and how to fight around it. He is a true student of violence, always learning, always evolving. As a human, this made him extremely dangerous. Given his new abilities, even he hasn't found his limits yet, but they are deadly.
Equipment
Viper can run faster and farther than humans. He can jump farther and higher than most humans. However, he still can't fly, and sometimes you need to get somewhere that you can neither run to, or jump to. So in those cases, he has his trusted Rocket Board. Certainly a less civilized way to fly, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. This method of travel isn't particularly fast, or efficient. However, it does get you from "A" to "B" while allowing you to avoid most danger, or reach difficult areas.
Weaknesses
Viper does have some regenerative abilities, and his reflexes make him extremely difficult to hit. However, *IF* he is hit, he feels it. His powers do not grant him any special resistances to damage, and so he remains vulnerable to all the same basic damage types that would kill a normal human. Blades still cut him, his bones still break, and bullets can still kill him. This is the reason Viper does not recommend attempting to Dodge bullets if it can be helped.
Viper appears to be vulnerable to temperature, specifically cold temperatures. Since his transformation, cold seems to feel colder to Lucas. He is vulnerable to cold temperatures, with extreme cold making him feel exhausted, and sleepy. While cold temperatures can be fatal to snakes due to their cold-blooded nature, it seems that Vipers human side prevents it from that extreme. However, slowing his mind, body and reflexes due to the cold, can be just as deadly.
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