Instead of formal character bios, in this RP we will start off knowing only what other characters already know. Hence "Public Knowledge".
Public knowledge is the rumors, theories, and gossip going around about your hero. Things that they have said to either the press or other heroes in a non-confidential setting. The facts that have come out or are common knowledge.
Joel Arias is a controversial figure among heroes. Some find him endearing, some find him annoying, most find him to be completely batshit crazy.
For one, Joel, better known around the hero world as Wraith, makes a lot of outlandish claims that have very little proof to back them up, and honestly sound like something straight out of a bad scifi movie. He claims to have Fatal Familial Insomnia, which prevents him from sleeping or losing consciousness. This is a very rare prion disease that, as the name implies, is fatal. Joel claims to have received an experimental treatment for it that slowed the deterioration of his brain and his inevitable descent into utter madness. But the rest of his claims imply he might already be there.
According to him, this experimental treatment made him clairvoyant. He can use psychic abilities to commune with the dead, along with some other weird shit. Joel can often be found talking to himself, claiming that he's speaking to a ghost. Of course, only he can see these "ghosts".
His wildest claim is that he is in cahoots with the literal grim reaper, who is allegedly a pretty cool guy. Ol' Grim hates having to reap innocent souls, and upon discovering Joel and his weird ghost nonsense, gave him his blessing to stop the death of innocent lives whenever he can. The suit he wears was supposedly gifted to him by the reaper and, as long as he wears it, he can not die.
Again, all of these claims have no solid proof other than the ramblings of an already mentally unstable and chronically sleep deprived man. The general consensus is that Joel is merely a mutant with a healing factor who happens to be very good at detective work, crazy as hell, and should definitely see his therapist more often.
Joel is also notoriously violent towards his enemies, has no qualms with killing the bad guy ("Just the really bad ones, though."), and is overall not well trusted among the hero community. The only reason he isn't in prison is because he's buttered up the cops by doing their work for them.
Literally the only reason people still talk to this guy is because of his knack for solving cold cases. He has helped police crack over 600. This charity work of his also might be why the police turn a blind eye to the rumors of his participation in illegal prize fighting.
Overall, if you have a mystery that needs solving, or a dangerous criminal that needs catching, Joel is your guy. Just be prepared to deal with his...particularities along the way.
Abilites: Claims to have "extreme luck, and really good aim" higher than average cognitive skills
Weapons: Weilds two military grade pistols, a combat knife, and a semi-automatic rifle
Armor: Bulletproof suit, substance unknown, it is more flexible, and is stronger than kevlar. appears as a black suit and tie
Background: Born to a lower middle class family, Derick enlisted in the U.S military at [Age redacted] and quickly made a name for himself. Ending his service with [Number redacted] confirmed kills, he returned to his home state of Kansas. While getting together with old friends, they decided that life without action was a bore and formed the amateur her team known as "The Irregulars" which quickly became a rising star in the hero buisness. The team had five known members: Derick Hearthwood (Living, The leader, no confirmed abilities), Amber Brighton (Deceased, known ice based abilities) Simon Frank (Deceased, known telepath) Gavin Nimoh (Deceased, known necromancer) And Andrew Berg (Living, known pyromancer)
Derick went under public scrutiny due to his lack of apparent abilities and his willingness to kill, and lack of apparent remorse, then an event occurred leaving Derick and Andrew the only surviving team members
According to Derick, the team was attacked without warningto by Andrew, and no one else survived. He has sense been unwilling to disclose further information.
turning to a life of crime, Derick was quickly caught and took a job at E.P.I as part of a plea bargain, casting the already infamous man into the spotlight once again
Appearance: Rust red hair, dark brown eyes, 170-175cm, usually wears loose neutral colored jackets over form-fitting dark shirts and black cargo pants and ankle-supporting black boots.
Abilities: Raising the dead - can reanimate skeletons. Unknown if he possesses any other powers. Has demonstrated excellent combat skills with near-superhuman reflexes and strength. Seems to prefer clawed gloves with reinforced knuckles. Has used weapons like axes and hand guns sparingly.
Personality: Cheerful, dramatic, and somewhat childish. Gets along with most people, and has been spotted playing with children.
Notes: Appeared one and a half years ago, creating an uproar with the media over his "villainous" powers. Civilians were placated by his personality, although there are still doubtful individuals. Have not been able to secure an interview, no known identity despite recognition scan, has not left any traces of DNA at battle scene. Lack of composure could be an act - surveillance strongly recommended.
Dr. Stokes' life has recently blown up in her face and she's none too pleased about it. An emergency room doctor heading home after a long shift, her commute on the L was interrupted by a group of masked Doomsday cultists who'd boarded her train with firearms and explosives. They were live-streaming an attack where they intended to destroy the downtown CTA interchange during the evening rush.
Not wanting to be exploded for their god, Erica, with a long suffering sigh, rose to her weary feet and began disarming the gunmen, conjuring blue-white energy out of thin air. In a flurry of energy bolts, barriers, and bonds, she was able to walk through the train, protecting her fellow passengers and rendering the cultists unconscious. It went fairly smoothly until she reached their leader, who activated her suicide vest. Unable to stop the bomb, Erica used a force field to contain the blast.
Most YouTube videos censor the cultist's red goo covering the inside of the bubble.
Oh yes, because the cultists were live streaming and civilians all had phones, there are dozens and dozens of videos of her work from different angles. Great.
It didn't take long for the press to swarm her, disrupting her quiet life. The media frenzy was so immediate, the hospital put her on a leave of absence, but given her revealed superpowers, they may not let her back for insurance purposes.
No good deed goes unpunished. A sad fact Erica learned long ago.
Seventeen years ago, to be specific.
Erica, in her twenties, was briefly active as Arclight, a 'supervillain anarchist', at least according to the police and press. A young idealist, she sought to fight the corruption that was destroying her community. She took aim at developers using nefarious tactics to run people out of their homes, only to become embroiled in a conspiracy that destroyed her reputation. Realizing her efforts were just causing more grief for her community and loved ones, she hung up her costume and focused on her medical schooling.
Arclight just disappeared one day never intending to return.
The KnightPhoenix showed up around five years ago, at least that was when the first encounter was recorded. Anyone that has lived to even see a glimpse of the KnightPhoenix haven't had much to say about what their encounter was like. All those that speak of such encounter talk about the sensations they felt and the peace in life they felt now. The only one thing that they all can agree upon is the deep purple eyes that almost seemed to look into their soul. But without seeing a face most description have been sort of a Helter Skelter type description, some says they had wings, others the body of a dragon, and still one going as far as to say they saw the face of a cat within the dark void within.
So there is little known about whom or what may behind the winged creature. Are they from earth? Are they foe or friend? Are they here to stay? Why does no one know who they are? Several agencies have tried to get pictures and capture the winged Menace as they call it for such answers. Not that the being has done anything wrong, but the government never has been keen on the unknown. Lately they have even started to offer a substantial award to any leads on where the KnightPhoenix might be, yet none that have seen it, or encounter the magical being have come forth with such information. For it seems that the KnightPhoenix has helped those that they have encounter out of dire situations, that they would not have been able to get out by themselves, and any information that could be offered had not been by anyone that has encounter the KnightPhoenix.
Powers that have been witnessed/Remembered/Shared
Flight
Psionics
Healing Magic
Mystical Arts
Divination
