Alright, so I might have partially hijacked the thread for a while now as places to put various heroes that I have been making without much backstory. So instead, here’s a group of five heroes who I made a while back, with backstory, and have rebuilt so that the powers and qualities they have actually match their mechanics. They are intended to work as a team, but are certainly effective in their roles regardless of what group they are in. Note that some of them have been posted earlier in this thread, albeit under different forms. Salt-Steel and Bunker-Buster are different mechanically, while Scabbard and Retrospect are different in regards to backstory.
Thashe Schiede was born in a realm that many might recognize as medieval europe, particularly Britain. Under rule of a King Arthur, the realm had thrived for many years. Though his family was not wealthy, Thashe was fortunate enough to begin training in the ways of Magecraft under the auspices of the village’s hedge mage. The kingdom’s dark times came with Mordred’s rebellion, only for a brighter still era of prosperity to begin as King Arthur had reclaimed the throne in earnest, empowering their subjects and maintaining the greatness of Camelot and surrounding lands with their intellect, in addition to their sword.
In the end though, it was the same people who would not heed the warnings of the Crown when the land turned fickle and blighted, corruption from distant lands encroaching and turning the peasantry upon their ruler. The shadows became sharpened knives, the heavenly light of the stars baleful lances, and the swords in the hands of the knights knives to sever the throats of those who would not follow the words of their King. In the end, even the stone walls of Camelot were lit ablaze by the corruption, and the World was erased from the annals of history.
Thashe Scheide was not ensconced in flame as he came to his senses in the World, tattered garments and journal the only things on him when the disaster had reached him. And yet, as he felt within, the weapons collected from the battlefields his former home remained absorbed. The Swords, the Knife, and the Lance formed a core, stabilizing what Magecraft he had mastered. Though this World was not his own, and he had much to learn of it, one thing was clear.
Scabbard had survived the End Of The World once. He would not permit such a fate to arrive upon this one he had found his way into.
Mark was always that stereotypical friendly jock. Big guy, nice to be around, and sometimes gave hints that he acted a bit dumber than he actually was. When an accident on an archeological expedition ended with ancient clockwork technology merged to his muscular, skeletal, and nervous system, Mark just took it in stride. Stronger, a bit faster, and with the ability to store kinetic energy and release it from his implants, he took the new name Bunker-Buster. With a booming voice and keen mind, and a bit more finesse than in his youth, Bunker-Buster is ready to protect the innocent.
In the years since then, Mark had learned the ways of the world, and what the limits of his own body are. While he hasn’t changed in what he can do, Bunker-Buster has turned his focus to the instruction and leading of others in the ways of heroics. After all, one gear on it’s own does not a system make.
Samantha was discovered as a child, stolen at birth by the Fair Folk and raised working at the forge with metals that were too dangerous for her ‘owners’ to work themselves. Particularly cold iron. When a group of exorcist’s broke up the camp she was raised in, she was brought back to human society as a ward of the church. In time, her powers would manifest in the form of manipulation of water, salt, and iron. Rumors would tell you that Salt-Steel had made a deal with a higher power, granting her a measure of precognition. But surely they can’t be right; No same woman can sell their soul to the collective will of mankind?
Over the years, Salt-Steel had tempered herself in service. Whether with blessed water, cold iron, consecrated salt, or her own mind, she has served as a way for people to move forward beyond the grip of the supernatural on their lives. Though her methods have grown more violent, it is attributable in part to her coming closer to her patron. Her personal tendency towards Sacrifice has manifested through it’s objective of Improvement Of Humanity. There is no fraction of her power that Salt-Steel will hold back, to improve the lives of those who suffer the blight of Villainy.
Deep in the mountains lay a monastery, isolated from the outside world. What visitors came there left with less than they came, for the monastery had a very particular purpose: To guard and contain artifacts or relics that are not of this world. Sadly, the monastery was at one point assaulted by forces unknown, penetrating it’s defenses both technological and magical with incredible ease. What remained of the monastery weeks later when an investigation by local authorities was conducted was a single boy with silver chains winding up one of his arms and something that could only be sensed by the absence of any sensory input from wherever it was, regardless of what examined it.
Barrier Of Faith would remain a presence in the boys life for years to come, the shield almost seeming to possess a life of it’s own with the manipulation of the chains binding it. When the destruction of boy only resulted in a bloody, battered husk of him emerging from the depths of the shield, Samuel returned to the world of the living. With his Postcognitive powers (and some life saving medical attention) keeping his body from degrading further, he took upon the mantle that the ‘puppet’ made by Barrier Of Faith for all those years had left him. Retrospect is a steadfast shield, and where people need defending, his guardianship will not cease until they are safe once more.
Sari Besch never especially enjoyed being alive. Her presence was unwanted, her personality leading her to more arguments than friendships, and her thrice cursed eyes that bled whenever opened allowed her no peace from observing the always lit world around her. So she had set out into the wilderness, living off the land, and fashioning various implements for herself. What magical talents she had blossomed in the untamed wilderness, and in time, she came to make certain items. Those who came to request her aid were more than willing to leave her alone, so she simply made what they needed. Even if the up and coming young hero from the town pestered her, surely his request wouldn’t be too daunting?
Days became weeks as she turned her talents upon the task, diving into the workings of even her own eyes and magic to create something that would satisfy this mere boy and his desire for aid. When it was done, he went on his way. For the first time in perhaps years, her gaze shifted of her own will to observe the town. Smoking craters, windshorn walls, and even ice encrusted destruction of villains were the result. Then came others from the town, desperate for ways to survive the hero. He was a tyrant now, they would say. Taking what he wanted without payment, the threat of retribution tying down any who would stand in his way. And so she returned, stepping through a portal, into his home. Her eyes bled as they opened, and when the dust settled, the house was left a crater that the citizenry recognize all too well. The hero’s own powers turned against him, and no sign of the bow.
Harrow’s powers lay in the disruption of things, twisting space and the flow of energy that she can perceive. Though some would tell you that she is but a vessel for an entity ancient beyond comprehension, spitefully gazing down from on high, all agree on one thing. This self proclaimed murderer acting in the role of a hero utilizes the same bow she killed to reclaim, and it’s name is not Ley Of The Land.
So, all of these five are heroes who come from very different backgrounds. People are free to make use of them as they wish. If nothing else, I hope that they inspire ideas of your own.
