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Oliver Thomas Black was born in London, England, on January 31, 1996. He lived a typical middle-class childhood in the United Kingdom, until his mutation started to reveal itself during the late years of puberty. None of his direct relatives are known to possess any notable form of mutations or altered genetics, thus the exact origin or event responsible for his mutant genes remains unknown, although it is a relatively safe assumption to make that the genetic alterations have been present since before his birth. In this specific case the mutation that is being refered to is a variation of the glacier archetype.

At the age of 16 Black filed for emancipation and moved to the United States of America. Where he then continued his history of transfering from school to school, until finally ending up at Westside High in Millennium City. Besides his student activities, Black quickly got involved in various other pastimes. Including a variety of part-time jobs (most notably work as a freelance chemist) and both sanctioned hero as well as vigilante jobs, working alongside the Millennium City Police Department as often as not under the alias of Black Ice. Although he has tread the fine line between the duties of a hero and vigilantism in the past, Black Ice is not considered a criminal offender nor a threat to the law enforcement of Millennium City, having come to the aid of the police force in the solving of numerous cases that mostly revolved around underworld activities and streetcrime. In his last year of high school Black discarded his education and went on to pursue a career in crime fighting.

Black Ice joined up with a team of aspiring young heroes and metahumans, who became known as the New Vigil.

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The subject has the ability to create, direct and manipulate cold fronts. Essentially giving him the power to outright freeze things, cause extreme drops in temperature and alter the shape as well as the density of frozen structures and ice formations. The exact statistics and scientific measurements remain unknown, but the subject has been estimated to be capable of reaching several hundred degrees below celsius when in direct contact with or within close proximity of the target. And has the ability to form ice with a higher density and strength than regular ice.

The abilities seem to act similar to those found in subjects that perform telekinesis, but rather than kinetic energy the subject in question is granted control over substances below their freezing point or below a certain degree celsius. The intensity and precision of these powers seem to decrease in effect depending on how close the subject is to the target. While not bound by direct contact, there seems to be a significant increase in effort when using them over a longer distance. Hostile actions within a close vicinity of the subject are advised against.

The subject is able to withstand extreme weather conditions, especially those below freezing point, and possesses beyond human physical traits, such as a heightened endurance, fortitude and stamina. In his default state the subject is even said to be able to withstand a certain force of impact and pressure, rendering most regular ammunition useless. There is a minor increase in strength, as well as reflex, but nowhere near the point of deserving to be refered to as superhuman. Although the physique of the subject does possess an unusually high threshold for pain.

It might be worth noting that due to the reduced temperature of the body, the subject is also able to bypass most forms of heat sensors. Biochemical weaponry, such as viruses or certain forms of poison, are likely to have a significantly reduced effect or delayed response for this very same reason. This ressistance is most notable when it concerns skin contact or ingestion.

The subject per default shows clear signs of a glacial mutation, but surpresses these obvious symptoms through the administering of a chemical concoction. The exact formula and quantities remain undisclosed, but a variety of cryogenic liquids are without a doubt essential in the production of this inconventional medicine created through the science of chemistry and cryochemistry.

The desired result of such a chemical mixture is to lower the core body temperature of the subject, thereby fooling the body and mutant cells, causing it to refrain from the forming of ice crystals on the exterior surface of the body. Where otherwise the subject would be covered in a layer of frost and ice to help keep the body temperature down below an undefined threshold. But despite these efforts the eyes constantly maintain their frozen appearance, revealing the true identity of the subject regardless of whether the mutation is currently in a dormant state or not.

Actively tapping into his cryogenic powers appears to negate the effects of the chemical concoction entirely, reverting the subject back to his more obvious mutant state. Extreme heat seems to be capable of triggering a similar override of the chemically induced effects. Certain forms of radiation may also affect the subject, but could lead to unstable reactions and other undesired results.

Besides standard paraphernalia, such as a comm device or grappling hook, the subject habitually resorts to the practical use of various, often hazardous, chemical components.

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New Vigil

• Bee - An anonymous hero whose helmet resembles a stylised bee, one of the first costumed individuals Black Ice was sighted with.

• Blue Freedom - A metahuman working alongside Black Ice who similarly applies common sense when in the field or investigating.

• Galactigal - One of the founders behind the New Vigil organisation, an alien entity that has only been referred to as a starspawn.

• Lash - This fashionable figure seems to have a strange minor obsession with the backside of Black Ice, but appears to be an ally.

• Mercy - A founder of the original New Vigil team and a competent leader, despite her sporadically wavering level of confidence.

• Prankenstein - A former young offender who converted back to the path of the law and now seems to have befriended Oliver.

Other

• Anarchy - This (in)famous person seems to have taken it upon herself to offer the New Vigil guidance and combat training.

• Black Knight - The veteran hero often exchanges joking comments with Oliver, mocking the gap between their generations.

• Luctus - Previously a housemate of Oliver, although fairly little is known about the meta abilities possessed by this individual.

• Shadow Blade - A mutant who used to be part of the New Vigil, but eventually decided to leave the team after moving away.

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