Difference between revisions of "Vita Nexus"

Revision as of 12:41, 29 May 2015

Vita Nexus

Player: @kaiser6012

"Always try. Even if fate has condemned you, you can do great things before your time comes."

Biographical Data

Real Name:

Robert Spalding

Known Aliases:

Vita Nexus

Gender:

Male

Species:

Human

Ethnicity:

Caucasian American

Place of Birth:

Providence, RI

Base of Operations:

Millennium City, MI

Relatives:

None, presumed dead

Characteristics

Age:

27

Height:

5' 10"

Weight:

116 lbs.

Eyes:

Black

Hair:

Black

Complexion:

Pale

Physical Build:

Thin, almost anaemic

Physical Features:

Black eyes, ambient temperature drop

Status

Fame:

██	██	██	██	██	██	██	██	██

Local

Alignment:

LG	LN	LE
NG	TN	NE
CG	CN	CE

Identity:

Years Active:

Citizenship:

American Citizen, Refugee

Occupation:

Librarian

Education:

Bachelor of Science (Physics)/Arts (Mythology) from Brown University

Marital Status:

Single

Known Powers and Abilities

Able to drain energy of various types via proximity or contact
Through application of above, dampening of impact and injury on self
Possible super-human levels of strength, endurance, willpower and/or speed

Equipment and Paraphernalia

Confidential

Physical Attributes

Strength

Weapon

Durability

Armor

Speed

Reflexes

Resistance

Stamina

Dexterity

Agility

Combat

Regen

Non-Physical Attributes

Energy

Psionics

Telepathy

Willpower

Sorcery

Tech.

Intel.

Knowledge

Charisma

Bravery

MaekadaBoxSlim created by @Maekada

Background and Origin

Vita Adficio

The Dark Ages. A black mark forever etched into our history. The age where the reason and gentility of the philosophers of old was all but destroyed completely, and the Western World fractured itself into warring fiefdoms, each scrambling for whatever power they could snatch. Most fought for land, or resources, or treasure. Few fought for the common man or good - the common man were like unto cattle to those of true import, and the concept of "good" and "right" could be won at the tip of a sword or bought from clergymen as corrupt as those who sought absolution.

It is in this setting, one of strife and struggle, where the Vita Adficio is first documented.

During these turbulent times a baronet, whose name has been lost to the march of time, sought dominion, as all barons of the time did. But his gaze was cast much further than most of his peers - further, and darker. He held land, yes, and that land was profitable. Treasure could be stolen and the power of the church was not unknown to him - he knew the limits of mortal gains, he thought. What, then, was there to strive to attain? His search for further sources of power drew him to esoteric, fearsome arts. He began with dabbling in alchemy, searching for the power to exert his will over the natural world. From there, his path spiralled into darkness - from alchemy came sorcery, from sorcery came demonism and witchcraft, and from these came musings on necromancy and the very nature of life and death and power. Not power like those uneducated masses knew... real power, the power over the fundamental rules of the world itself. Power to cheat, even cow death, power to shape the land as he saw fit...

Power.

His first step in this twisted journey was to create for himself a source of energy to draw upon. His skill was great, that much was true, but so much of his achievements relied upon sacrifice. He had to give up much in his search for what he already had, and the road ahead would no doubt rend him asunder should his offerings be found lacking. How, then, to fuel his research, his experiments and trials?

His solution was elegant in it's simplicity. If he was not to pay the price for his magic, then he would have another do so for him. So he set about making preparations for his arcane scapegoat - one who would harvest the very essence of life and vitality from those around him and channel it into a space only he could access, ready and ripe for the offering. One of his serfs, a farmer of no import, was taken as the phylactery of this rite. 72 men and women of the cloth were sacrificed to appease the spirits whom guided the Baronet, as well as four children who could not know sin. A great seal was drawn, and upon the stroke of midnight of the night of a new moon, the compact was sealed. The farmer's eyes darkened and turned as black as the moon above, his skin sunk and turned sallow as the deaths of the ritual settled upon his very soul and his entire world became as cold as the grave. The Baronet then swept his scapegoat back to his home, leaving the other villagers none the wiser as to the dark legacy of this unassuming farmer and bearer of a curse most foul.

Adficio Prima

This farmer, whom only the most vague histories know as Adficio Prima, the First of the Vita Adficio, was but a serf in a time of kings and lords. His life was to be simple, quiet and full of work that would gift him a humble but happy afterlife. He knew, like all who worked in the shadow of this Baronet, that he practiced dark magics for ends unknown, but never in his wildest nightmares could he be prepared for the curse laid upon him. When he was returned to the village, his visage remained warped and his skin burned with an unnatural chill. He hoped his face would return to normal, that the cold fire on his skin would fade in time... but time proved as cruel as fate had.

Many believed the farmer was cursed. As the farmer toiled in his field, crops and plants around him withered away. Cows and sheep became sickly and, on cold winter days, the very ground froze behind him with every step. Dogs shied away from him. Children taunted him in the commons. Soon, rumor spread about that he was in league with the Devil-worshiping Baronet, that he had picked out the monks and abbots that had been spirited away, never to be heard of. Even worse, he had bargained with Lucifer himself to spare him his dread fate, and that his face bore the mark of Cain. The village could not tolerate one such as he, and not two years since his cursing, his own friends and kin turned their backs on him for good. He was exiled along with his family, his wife and then infant daughter, never to return.

The Adficio Prima's struggle during this time came from everywhere at once. He could not provide for his family without the aid of a village around him, and every village they came to took anywhere from two months to a handful of days to come to the same conclusion his home had - he was touched by the Darkness, and would find no solace among his fellow man. Even the Romani tribes generous and kind to outcasts like themselves would not allow him passage. His curse not only poisoned the earth and the bodies of those around him, but ate at their hearts and minds too. All too soon, this poison corrupted his own heart as well. Like so many after him, the ultimate fate of the Adficio Prima was by his own hand. Perhaps he had hoped to rid the world of the curse by removing himself. Perhaps he simply could not bear the thought of continuing to live like this. Whatever the motive, however, it was soon apparent that the world would not be rid of this curse so easily. As her father fell, Adficio Secunda came over ill. Though her mother nursed her as well as she could, the chill she had come over with would not subside. Within a day, her eyes were black as pitch and her skin, waxy and dull as a corpse, was as cold as death to the touch.

The Lineage of Adficio

Throughout the ages, the ones who have carried the burden of the Adficio have suffered greatly at it's hands. The curse is complex and unforgiving in it's ravages, and many Adficio have fallen to it's creeping doom, either by despair or by their own bodies wasting away, eaten from within by the curse. Should an Adficio die, their oldest son or daughter would become the bearer of the curse. Should one die without offspring, their sibling would be afflicted. The Adficio is tenacious, always finding another related to that poor soul from so long ago.

While time was merciless to Adficio Prima, however, his descendants found themselves luckier. While their travels were never joyous or pleasant, those of the Adficio found themselves in many far-flung lands. Hundreds of sorcerers, mystics, gurus, hedge witches and even shaman from the wilds of Africa have studied and left their mark on the Adficio. Even better, with the advent of Industry, towns found themselves growing with such vigor and voraciousness that even the hunger of the Adficio was dwarfed by the populations of cities like London, Paris and Barcelona. The hatred that followed the Adficio grew slower in such crowded cities - it could be years before the populace began to simmer and seethe, and even then, nobody knew where to turn to blame. There would be unrest, there would be uproar... but then it would fade, and all would be right with the world again.

As time passed, more and more was available to those who bore the Adficio. Though the hunger has grown over the centuries since it's inception, humanity has grown far beyond the needs of the curse. An Adficio can control the curse using cantrips, meditation and mnemonics to such a degree that they can spare people from harm by it, at the expense of their own physical and spiritual well-being. Some have even mastered advanced manipulation of the energy as it is taken to return a portion of it to themselves. A walk in a crowded shopping mall can drive off the bone-rattling chill with nary an argument, though it is never enough to fully sate the curse's appetite. There is always a deeper depth to the hunger.

And to this story, Vita Nexus is born.

Vita Nexus

Vita Nexus is the current bearer of the Vita Adficio... though his presence is something of a puzzle to all, including himself. By all rights, the line is all but ended - the last blood relative to bear the Vita Adficio was his late grandmother, whom died to a Russian super-villain named Koschei the Deathless. By rights, Vita should not exist. Yet exist he does.

He professes to have been raised in Providence, the capital of Rhode Island, and taught the ways of those who bear the Adficio almost from birth. As the eldest son, it was to be his fate to bear his father's curse. He took to the training well, learning all the bolstering arts and channeling techniques to direct the energy flow in certain ways - away from the elderly and the sick, towards that bodybuilder or this street lamp. Though Robbie was ready to take on the mantle when his father's health deteriorated, he still mourned his father's passing. He had only bore the curse for a few years - his grandmother, Ruby, had obstinately refused to die well into her seventies - so Robert had seen his father go from a happy, joyful man full of life and love to a shell of his former self, torn apart by his family's legacy. As Robert felt the chill creep into his bones, he made himself a pledge. He would not let the darkness win and, if he could, he would undo the Adficio once and for all.

His resolve and very being was put to the test not two days later. A Russian sorcerer who went by the title of The Iron Warlock had taken an interest in the Adficio's raw power and potential. He was one of the greatest sorcerers Europe had seen, he reasoned - greatness should beget greatness. So, while Robert was still reeling from the shock of his father's death and the new responsibility he was entrusted with, the Iron Warlock struck. He kidnapped Robert in the dead of night and spirited him away to Russia, where the Iron Warlock held him in an attempt to tap into that infinite source of power for himself.

But Robert would not be so easily abused. He knew of ways he could reject this warlock, so fought him with all his might. Eventually, the Iron Warlock would have won - his skill would have penetrated Robert's defenses, given time - were it not for the voracious hunger of the Adficio itself. As the Iron Warlock laid down spell after spell, the room became thick with magic working it's will upon Robert. That energy never made its way into his head, though. The Adficio destabilized the magic within the room, causing a cataclysmic chain reaction. The place he was held - an abandoned university lecture room - was torn apart by the magical eruption, and the Iron Warlock was consumed in the blast. The Adficio shielded Robert from the bulk of it's effects, absorbing the chaotic energy as it neared him, but he still saw someone die, torn apart in front of him.

Robert was taken back to America by the Russian government with profuse apologies on behalf of the Russian people, but Robert would forever be affected by this event. He took to calling himself Vita Nexus, taking inspiration from the latin that seemed to be an institution in arcane writings and from the idea that all life he came in touch with was somehow a part of him. He redoubled his efforts to control his curse as best he could, training not just to control the curse better but to also lash out, incapacitating those who threatened him or others. When he went to university, he also registered as a superhero, and took to patrolling the streets, draining muggers and criminals into unconsciousness instead of draining innocent crowds of people to control his decay. Most importantly, he stuck by his oath: as long as he could, he wouldn't allow harm to come to anyone while he could do something. He would not allow himself to be powerless again.

Today, Tomorrow and the Future

After finishing university, Vita's activity becomes unclear. He believes he moved to a place known as Paragon City and continued his crime fighting there, aided financially by working as a librarian, but much more than that he cannot remember. Only two pieces of information have come to him about this time: that there was some great event that he knows only as "the Storm" that resulted in his current situation, and a single word - Eternal - is significant in some way. How, or why, he does not know.

What is known is that Vita Nexus spent at least two years in some form of alternate plane or planes. It is suspected that, during this time, he somehow made it to almost all planes that would accept life - the Yetzirah, the Briah and even the Atziluth. How he managed this without any way of doing so, or even how he survived the journey, is unknown. The next time any person had contact with him was in 2014, two years after his last known activity. He was found comatose in an alleyway in the Westside of Millennium City and taken to the Millennium City General Hospital for treatment. After an altercation with doctors there as well as the Champions, he was released on probation pending review. As of the beginning of 2015, Vita Nexus is acknowledged as a temporal refugee and citizen of America, as well as a registered superhero.

As of this moment, Vita Nexus continues the good fight. He has had to fight an uphill battle - his brief fight with Defender has put the general public on edge and the influence of the Vita Adficio has not helped matters - but his efforts have been great and he has proven himself adept at dealing with everything from the Psychos of Westside to the perils of Monster Island and beyond. He approaches everything as a chance to learn, to grow and to do as much good as he can... and if he can find some peace through keeping the Adficio's effects upon him as gentle as possible, that's just a bonus.

Powers, Skills, and Attributes

Powers

The Vita Adficio - What was once a dark curse and a death sentence for those bearing it has been subtly shaped and molded over the years into something more like a disability - a challenge, but a surmountable one. The curse itself drains energy on four main fronts, corresponding to the needs of most arcane rituals - energy of the body (physical energy, energy that does work on the physical world, exertion), energy of the mind (mental awareness, the energy of imagination and alertness, inspiration), energy of the heart (life energy, the basic rhythm all life needs to exist, continuation) and energy of the soul (social energy, the power one gets from being connected to another, exaltation). This leeching of energy, without guidance, is ubiquitous and insatiable. It has a varying range, being capable of drawing minute traces of energy from anywhere up to a kilometer away, but is acutely felt at a range of about fifty metres - ambient temperatures drop, movement becomes difficult as energy is sapped from muscles and electrical apparatus may fail. Additionally, acute feeling of paranoia, frustration or even rage may manifest if exposed for too long, though this level of exposure is unusual in this day and age. Finally, super-powered humans find their powers limited under the influence of the Adficio. Powers still function, but great merely becomes good and good is sapped down to barely noteworthy.

Mystic Channeling - To Vita Nexus, this curse is an opportunity to do some good in the world. He is able to direct the drain of energy to an unheard of extent for the Vita Adficio, keeping any side-effects mostly to himself in the process. Among other tricks, Vita Nexus is capable of shielding himself from significant harm by leeching energy from projectiles and blows, decaying the link between foes and breeding mistrust between criminals once thick as thieves and fatiguing mind and body into unconsciousness while maintaining vital integrity. He also uses the innate lack of goodwill his curse forces upon him as a diversionary tactic - a quick leech of an opponent's mind and soul energy will encourage emotional action, and at that moment, emotion runs towards hurting Vita, the unconsciously chosen target.

Suspected Superhuman - The Vita Adficio prevents accurate testing being performed, but it is suspected that Vita Nexus is more than human on several fronts. Despite his curse constantly limiting his movements and requiring more effort to simply function on a day-to-day basis, Vita is just as strong, quick and healthy as a normal person. Even more impressive, though the Adficio is a severe psychological depressant, driving a significant number of it's sufferers to drastic actions, Vita appears psychologically fine, if a little withdrawn. It has been suggested that, were the Adficio fully removed from him, that Robert Spalding would be a horrifically unbearable idealistic optimist.

Skills

Adficio Supprimere - Since birth, Vita Nexus has been trained, taught and prepared to bear the Vita Adficio. His training, the culmination of more than a thousand years of minor cantrips, meditative control and a hundred other techniques designed for those who held no mystic or martial prowess themselves, is what allows him such control over the Adficio. Indeed, he has added a (comparatively) great deal to his own arts through study and contemplation of his own. Whether by will or by distillation of good practice, none have shown such expertise in controlling the Adficio as Vita Nexus.

Arcane Study - As well as requiring some arcane knowledge to fully master the art of Adficio Supprimere, Vita has an extensive knowledge of the fundamental workings of magic. His examinations of the curse have led him to learn about rituals and curses of all sorts, as well as energy manipulation, the use of such energy in practical terms and other such teachings. Though he himself lacks the spark to use his knowledge, he is an expert in arcane theory and research.

Attributes

Will of Iron - Though Vita Nexus still isn't quite acclimatized to the idea of being killed, it is surmised that Vita is under almost constant pain on every conceivable level. His mental faculties constantly suppressed, his body under immense strain just to keep going and his soul a flickering candle in a sea of darkness... and still Vita holds his head high and looks towards the dawn. His spirit, though not overwhelming, is nigh irrepressible.

Guardian Familiar - Through accident, Vita Nexus has found himself bound to a guardian familiar - a magical pet of sorts that doesn't exist tangibly, but works to protect Vita Nexus from harm. Though it has limited power, the Guardian Familiar is capable of reinforcing Vita's mind against psionic assault and can produce simple wards to keep magic at bay. Said wards are nigh ineffectual, given that the Adficio swallows them up almost instantly, but the ability is still able to catch impact in a small way.

Gear and Equipment

Gear

Pen and Pad - Vita might strike the average arcanist as an impossibility - he channels energy with such ease and he doesn't have a focus? How is that even possible? In truth, Vita's abilities are the culmination of many simple tricks and intense focus on his part. He needs nothing to keep going. That said, in his favorite trench coat, he is never without something to write on and with. Vita is very protective of his notebook, but those who ask to see what's inside can see theoretical arcane sigils, musings, sketches and all manner of writings. It is at once a field manual, a grimoire and a personal diary.

Relationships

Friends/Allies

Vita Nexus lives a life alone. Most who meet him eventually grow to hate him and his formative years were spent alone. He likes getting out and meeting people, but he has nobody whom he could say for absolute certainty is a friend.

Enemies

Though Vita Nexus is still somewhat new to this dimension, he has nevertheless made some fearsome foes.

Koschei the Deathless

Koschei the Deathless has been active for well over a hundred years as a sorcerer of great power. His greatest conquest was over the Vita Adficio some fifty years ago by ripping the secrets from Ruby Spalding, killing her in the process. Possessing phenomenal powers, including an array of spells unequaled by any mortal practitioner and access to what seems to be a derivative of the Adficio that can be placed on unwitting people at will, Koschei has learned of Vita's existence and sees this as a way of gaining ultimate control over the Adficio's nigh limitless power for eternity.

In Vita Nexus' world, Koschei the Deathless was known as the Iron Warlock and attacked him instead of his grandmother.

General Perception

Vita Nexus is not to be trusted. Vita Nexus is a harbinger of bad things to come. Vita Nexus is to be feared. Much as he might try and work against his reputation, Vita's curse is omnipresent in his community. He can't ever seem to catch a break, despite his tireless work in keeping the streets clean on every conceivable level. If asked about, nobody will ever actually say they themselves think badly of him... it's just common knowledge he's not a good sort.

To superhumans, though, Vita is an entirely different story. Since their souls are inherently stronger than most, most heroes aren't sold by the hype. They see Vita as a firm ally with horribly bad publicity, skilled and willing to put his life on the line for good.

Roleplay Hooks

Vita Nexus isn't exactly innocuous. He's generally given a wide berth if out in public and his presence fills any room with a deathly chill. If you want to find him, just look for the personal space bubble being rigidly enforced.
If you're a magically inclined hero, Vita is a walking talking paradox. He's the conduit for an incredibly powerful energy source, but can't use any of it himself. He's forgotten more magical theory than most will ever know, but he's no sorcerer. If your particular school of magic doesn't know of the Adficio, then Vita Nexus is an oddity worth looking into.
Vita Nexus has bad publicity. It's just a sad fact. He and Spider-Man could sit and talk about bad headlines for days. Anybody watching the news will see that Vita is a threat.
To anybody who can detect extraplanar creatures, Vita Nexus appears to have been marked by all layers of the multiverse, save the Qliphothic. He bears marks of at least having been in a different aspect of the Assiah for a significant period and has alighted in the Yetzirah, the Briah and the Atziluth at some point.
In general, if you have questions regarding magic, mysticism or arcane matters, Vita Nexus will be able to help as far as knowing what's going on. If you need a spell cast, you'll have to go see an expert.

Personal Comments

If you wish to, this is the place to speak of Vita Nexus. Anything goes - he appreciates positive comments, and is used to criticism.

Note: This wiki page is a work in progress.

@@ Line 167: / Line 167: @@
 *Vita Nexus has bad publicity. It's just a sad fact. He and Spider-Man could sit and talk about bad headlines for days. Anybody watching the news will see that Vita is a threat.
 *To anybody who can detect extraplanar creatures, Vita Nexus appears to have been marked by all layers of the multiverse, save the Qliphothic. He bears marks of at least having been in a different aspect of the Assiah for a significant period and has alighted in the Yetzirah, the Briah and the Atziluth at some point.
-*In general, if you have questions regarding magic, mysticism or arcane matters, Vita NExus will be able to help as far as knowing what's going on. If you need a spell cast, you'll have to go see an expert.
+*In general, if you have questions regarding magic, mysticism or arcane matters, Vita Nexus will be able to help as far as knowing what's going on. If you need a spell cast, you'll have to go see an expert.
 ==<div valign="bottom" style="background: #006999; color: #FFFFFF; text-align: center; margin:0 auto 0 auto; font-size:125%; height:25px; border: solid 5px #003969;">'''Personal Comments'''</div>==
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Difference between revisions of "Vita Nexus"

Revision as of 12:41, 29 May 2015

Contents

Background and Origin

Vita Adficio

Adficio Prima

The Lineage of Adficio

Vita Nexus

Today, Tomorrow and the Future

Powers, Skills, and Attributes

Powers

Skills

Attributes

Gear and Equipment

Gear

Relationships

Friends/Allies

Enemies

Koschei the Deathless

General Perception

Roleplay Hooks

Personal Comments

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