Black Ice
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British
BACKGROUND
Oliver Thomas Black was born in London, England, on January 13, 1998. He lived a typical middle-class childhood in the United Kingdom, until his genetic mutation manifested during puberty.
The initial symptoms were easily dismissed as a fever or simply blamed on puberty, but it soon became apparent that this was something else entirely. The teen's condition worsened and he was quickly hospitalized when his declining body temperature started to reach critical levels. Any attempt to warm up Oliver's body seemed to only produce adverse effects, leaving the doctors with little choice but to cease their treatments and simply monitor Oliver's condition. The doctors soon realized that they were dealing with something that could only be explained as metahuman.
Despite the abnormally low body temperature, Oliver's organs continued to function. A strange layer of frost and ice slowly began to cover the teenager's entire body, leaving the now comatose Oliver with a permanently frost-shrouded appearance. His condition and vitals became stable again, but Oliver's life was forever changed. As it turned out Oliver was not ill, he was a mutant.
After spending several months in hospitals and research facilities Oliver's doctors managed to create a concoction of cryogenic liquids and other chemicals that allowed Oliver to return to looking like his old self again. The serum basically suppressed the outward mutation by lowering Oliver's core temperature, tricking his body into thinking it had already reached its ideal temperature and no longer needed to keep forming an exterior layer of ice crystals. Unfortunately the effects of the serum were only temporary and Oliver would eventually return to his default mutant state again.
Oliver returned home and went back to school, but between the manifestations of his unmastered cryogenic abilities and having to regularly ingest a still experimental serum trying to live a normal life ended up being a near impossible task. Family relationships were strained. And Oliver kept getting in trouble at school as events were happening around him that he could not explain.
At the age of 16 Black got emancipated and moved to Millennium City, The City of the Future, in the United States to get a fresh start, where he worked odd jobs to support himself. He chose the city for its relatively high tolerance towards metahumans and, more importantly, because of the many scientific discoveries in metahuman research that were constantly taking place there.
Oliver started practicing parkour and soon found himself using his mutant powers for good, hindering the criminals in his neighborhood. He became known by the alias Black Ice and joined a club of young metahumans and heroes in training, New Vigil. This would eventually lead to him joining his current team, The Progeny, which formed the start of Oliver's career as a crime fighter.
After a funny clip of Black Ice bantering and effortlessly wiping the floor with some painfully incapable bad guy went viral, Oliver received the life-changing opportunity to become a corporate sponsored hero. Not possessing the luxury of a secret identity, nor the financial backing of his parents, Oliver decided to roll with it and embraced his new status as a public hero.
He is now trying to juggle his life as a university student and a crime fighting hero with the media circus of being a minor celebrity and the responsibilities towards his sponsor and his teammates.
Black Ice is part of a team of young heroes called The Progeny and is currently being sponsored by Good Guise - Men's Grooming Products.
Oliver has chestnut brown hair, icy blue eyes and an underused infectious smile. He possesses a lean frame and a build that leans more towards athletic than muscular, pretty much exactly what you would expect from a teen hero and parkour fanatic. Admittedly he could do with a bit of a tan, but given his wintry mutation having a pale complexion does kind of seem to fit the young Brit.
When in his default mutant state Oliver is completely covered by a layer of ice and frost from head to toe. But with some difficulty, it is still possible to recognize him in this form. Not surprisingly, the frost-shrouded appearance is often met with a mixed response. There are some who consider such an apparent mutation to be off-putting, while others think it is cool.
Given the nature of his mutation, it should not be surprising that his choice of wardrobe seldom accounts for the weather.
Oliver Black is usually described as an amiable, albeit somewhat troubled, young man. He does not warm up to people easily and seems to find it difficult to trust, but once he does his loyalty appears to be absolute. Oliver's demeanor can sometimes come across as cold or distant, although in most cases it is fairly obvious he cares way more than he lets on or is willing to admit.
In the field Black Ice is typically able to keep his cool, even when everything around him is going up in flames. He is also pretty damn stubborn and, despite the fact that being reckless and impulsive is a little out of character for him, often acts without any concern for his own safety. Qualities that are both commendable and foolish at the same time.
While he is considered one of the more promising up-and-coming young heroes, already having his name attached to a brand, Black does not care much for the media attention and prefers to keep to himself. He has actually gotten rather good at evading the press and he seldom agrees to do an interview, much to the frustration of his manager who would like nothing more than to see Oliver fully embrace his status as a minor celebrity. Instead his handler often has to deal with confused or disgruntled photographers who keep having difficulties with iced-over camera lenses.
META ABILITIES
CryokinesisBlack Ice possesses the ability to create, direct and manipulate ice or any substance below its freezing point. This gives him the power to cause extreme drops in temperature, spontaneously freeze things solid and to exercise near complete control over frozen substances or ice formations. The ice created through the use of these meta abilities also has a slightly higher density and strength than regular, naturally formed ice crystals. This is especially true for the constantly shifting ice that covers Black's own body when he is in his default mutant state.
While these abilities do not require direct physical contact, using these powers over longer distances appears to be more straining and does not allow Black Ice to exercise the same level of control. It has been estimated that the subject is capable of invoking temperatures as low as several hundred degrees below Celsius when maintaining direct physical contact with his target.
Mutant PhysiologyBlack Ice is able to withstand extreme weather conditions, particularly those below freezing point, and possesses physical traits that are beyond the human norm, such as heightened endurance, fortitude and stamina. Black is also less receptive to external stimuli, most notably pain. In his default mutant state Black is even able to withstand a moderate force of impact and a significant amount of pressure, due to the protective layer of frost and ice that covers his entire body. Although he is not completely bulletproof and far from invincible.
Due to the drastically reduced body temperature, Black Ice is able to bypass most forms of heat detection. It will also take much longer for certain types of poison and most viruses to take effect. Many forms of radiation do still affect Black Ice, as can some mutagenic compounds or mutagenic energies, as long as they are able to get past the subject's frozen exterior.
His unique physiology unfortunately offers little to no additional protection against any form of magic, with perhaps the exception of pyromancy, or any mental abilities.
Black Ice has to regularly ingest a concoction of cryogenic liquids and other chemicals in order to maintain the appearance of a normal human teenager.
CAUTION:Outside of his meta abilities and standard crime fighting paraphernalia, Black Ice is known to utilize a variety of hazardous chemicals and chemical agents.
KNOWN ASSOCIATES
He is great at blowing things up and starting fires. Black Ice is good at putting out fires. They make an excellent team.
In a way, the Malvan's always sunny disposition helps balance out Oliver's sometimes cold and distant demeanor.
There is a strong, intimate connection between the gun-toting vigilante and the frost-shrouded hero. Their love of pizza.
This young fashionista appears to have somewhat of a minor infatuation with Oliver. Most noticeably with his backside.
This spidery hero sometimes looks towards the more experienced team members, like Black Ice, for guidance.
Oliver's often inappropriate manager who, despite his questionable first impressions, happens to be very good at what he does.
Being friends with a talking cat kinda forces Oliver to acknowledge that myths and magic are real, to some extend.
Oliver's good friend and a fellow model for Good Guise, though, in a lot of ways this speedster is also his polar opposite.
ROGUES GALLERY
BLOODSHOT
Known Aliases:
The Huntsman
Threat Level: Delta
Method of Operation:
Bounty Hunting, Human Trafficking, War Crimes
Vendettas: UNTIL
Bloodshot, or The Huntsman as he is also known as, is a ruthless mercenary whose favored targets are mutants. He collects them, hunts them for sport, sells them to the highest bidder or uses them as a resource. The Huntsman has been used as a bogeyman tale for mutants, but it is definitely not a story suited for young children.
Bloodshot is known to supplement his arsenal of heavy weapons with power stolen from mutants, by having himself augmented through gruesome surgical procedures. A certain young, British cryokinetic is on his list of wanted specimens and valuable targets.
PIZZAVORE
Known Aliases:
Pizzaface
Threat Level: Beta
Method of Operation:
Alien Abductions, Dine and Dash, Widespread Panic
Vendettas: Black Ice
When this unknown alien creature hatched from its pod, ravaged by an insatiable hunger, the first thing it came across was a Darren's Pizza establishment. Fortunately the creature only feast itself upon the human food, and not the humans customers, but as a result it developed a strong taste for pizza. It has been craving the cheesy, tomatoey flatbread ever since. And so it was dubbed Pizzavore.
In Oliver's book there are few crimes more unforgivable than to deprive one of their pizza. Which makes this monster, regardless of its origins or whatever species it may be, Black Ice's mortal foe.
RED-HOT
Known Aliases:
Eleanora Russell
Threat Level: Alpha
Method of Operation:
Bribery, Manipulation, Reckless Behavior, Sabotage
Vendettas: The Progeny (most notably Lash)
Instead of getting a car, Eleanora convinced her dad to buy her metahuman powers for her sixteenth birthday. After volunteering for a procedure to turn her into a mutate Eleanora got her wish in the form of calokinetic abilities. She adopted the name Red-Hot and became a supermodel as well as a superhero. In truth, she could not care less about helping people and behaves more like a villain.
After modeling with Black Ice in a photo shoot and failing to seduce him, Red-Hot developed an unhealthy crush for the British hero. An obsession that almost rivals her selfish desire for glamour and fame.
THE SCOREKEEPERS
Known Aliases:
The Gamemasters
Threat Level: Beta
Method of Operation:
Game Fixing, Human Experiments, Kidnapping
Vendettas: PRIMUS
Rumored to have been former employees of PRIMUS responsible for determining and categorizing the threat level of metahumans, The Scorekeepers are definitely a little more passionate than their legal, government funded counterpart. Instead of merely assessing cases, they assumed a more proactive role in ranking metahumans according to their power, resources, skill level, threat and so on.
They decided to create their own leaderboard with both heroes and villains. Pitting them against each other in all kinds of tests and trials.
WHITEOUT
Known Aliases:
Connor Wyght
Threat Level: Delta
Method of Operation:
Conspiracy, Heists, Trespassing, Youth Gang Crime
Vendettas: Black Ice
Connor Wyght and Oliver Black are old friends. Or at least, they used to be. They have a shared past and are both English, but nowadays their view on the world and what it means to be a mutant are miles apart. Unlike Oliver, Connor never had a real problem with being a mutant and revels in the fact he has superhuman powers. Under the alias of Whiteout he uses his abilities largely for his own gain and with little regard towards the law or the rules of society.
Whiteout is a bit of a mastermind. He developed the power of frigokinesis, over which he displays a remarkable level of control.
MISS PUSSYCAKES
Known Aliases:
Bob the Cat
Threat Level: Alpha
Method of Operation:
Aggressive Behavior, Littering, Theft, Trespassing
Vendettas: Black Ice
Miss Pussycakes is the ridiculously pampered and monstrously obese cat of Olevia Alvarez or Lash, one of Oliver's closest allies. Whether it is because of the attention Olevia gives Oliver, the low body temperature of the cryokinetic or the fact Oliver once utilized Miss Pussycakes as a weapon, the beast clearly detests Black Ice.
Oliver has long suspected Miss Pussycakes was once the pet of a supervillain. He also believes the cat was responsible for the pizza thefts over the summer of 2015, but has not been able to prove it.
COOL FACTS
- Black Ice is a member of The Progeny, a team of young heroes.
- He is most active within Millennium City, The City of the Future.
- Often works alongside the MCFD and helps out their crime lab.
- Logs into the Champions Response & Protection channel.
- Is sponsored by Good Guise - Men's Grooming Products.
- Oliver Black is English and speaks with a British accent.
- Oliver is a student at Millennium City University or MCU.
- He is also an avid gamer and a practitioner of Parkour.
- Has become a very regular customer at Darren's Pizza.
- Is sometimes featured by the press or through other media.
MEDIA
The Progeny by JMNP-Art
Oliver Black by Feronius
The Progeny & Protectors of the World by ShamanEileen
Black Ice by PoisonicPen
The Progeny by PoppyMori
Black Ice and Lash by Ketrintyan
The Progeny by Arivina
Black Ice by Marlidona
The Progeny by Zearny
The Progeny by MJB
New Vigil by Rose McClain
Black Ice by Feronius
- Black Ice: The Cool Life of a Cryokinetic
- Black Ice: #ColdHardReality (Progeny Writing Challenge September 2015)
- Black Ice - In-Game Costume Files
- Black Ice - Character Reference Sheet
TESTIMONIALS
"A cooler guy I've never known." - Prankenstein
"Hsssssss...Rrraaawrrr!" (roughly translates to "This @$$hole tried to kill me!") - Miss Pussycakes
"We are not sure if...Oliver acts so uptight on purpose, or if...he is simply always that way. However, we do admire...his discipline." / "Oliver has a...cool...accent. Shame that he's always so...cold...to people! Heehee." - Galactigal/Samantha, respectively
"He seems nervous around me most of the time, and he's very guarded. He's... not a bad guy though." - Mercy
"Oliver's pretty nice... I mean, he's pretty friendly, but... he seems to be kinda defensive. Not that it makes him mean or anything, it's just...! Erm, nevermind. I do wish he'd stop with the time puns... Maybe it's time I fight back with ice ones." - Stopwatch
"A good guy I'd say. I think he has his heart in the right place. Oh! We're pretty good friends I'd say, we certainly don't argue at least. Though he seems a bit negative about his powers sometimes I think." - Bee
"Beautifully dangerous. It's so sad he's afraid of the dark." - Shadow Blade
"I was worried when he got so mad at me for checking up on him. But over time, we've really gotten along I think. He has a lot going on in his life and it must be difficult for him to deal with. I hope he knows we always have his back." - Heartbeat
"I LIKE Ollie. A lot. Just, uhhh... don't tell him I said that, okay?" - Lash
• "Oliver is... hm, obnoxious? A bit immature? Kind of insensitive? Probably all of those things. He has a lovely accent, though, which lets me overlook a lot of negatives.. I guess he's an alright bloke at times though, eh wot?" - Whitecloak
"Ollie tries way too hard to be all serious, but I kinda figure that has more to do with whatever happened back in the UK. Seems like a decent guy though." - Celerity
"He's a solid guy, even though it's kinda obvious he has something hanging over him most of the time, but just cos you've got an accent doesn't automatically make you all that and a bag of Doritos, dude. Seriously." - Boy Wonder
"Young, brash and with quite a lot left to learn. Still, his heart is at the right spot and he is a clever one. A lot of potential there." - Black Knight
"He's a cool dude." - Moonlighter
"I enjoy his company immensely, his dry wit is always appreciated." - Stegoboy
"When he's not all wrapped up in his snowcone, Ollie's still got two cold shoulders. But I get it. Doesn't matter - he's mi compadre. If we're walking into Hell, it pays to have a good fire extinguisher." - Kid Ballistic
"He's the icebro, the snowman, the bringer of the cool. He's my main man, Ollie boy! Still a stick in the mud, but I'll make him into the awesome that he can and SHOULD be." - Maverick
"I appreciate his dry sense of humor. He's very resourceful, and excels at thinking on his feet." - Cait Sith
"Ever my competition for the ol' black and blue. But seriously, he's got good leadership skills and I'd willingly follow him into battle." - Cobalt Crush
"For someone so young, he seems to really have a handle on his powers and the abilities of his teammates. I bet Sparrowhawk has her eye on this one. Maybe she's just waiting till he graduates high school, or something." - Tesseract
"For someone so skeptical of magic and religion, I thought that it would be difficult to come to an understanding. I think we have, both simply agreeing to disagree. I'm fine with that. It's my hope that I can show him that not all Catholics, or Christians in general, have negative views of mutants." - Faith
"I like to think Ollie's cool with me hanging around. I just have to remember that the blue stuff ISN'T Kool-Aid." - Communick
"Whatever Oliver lacks in boldness, he makes up for in amazing intellect. His chemical knowledge is pretty intense, but I hope he learns to embrace his uniqueness. He's a great leader for the team, and honestly, someone I could probably learn a couple of things from." - Strong Suit
 The following in-universe content has been declared by the author to be free information for other characters to know. All information on this page is not necessarily freely distributed, but may or may not be known by any given character without the express permission of the author. |
 v • d • e
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| Leader: Faith | ||
| Members: Communick • Concrete Gospel • Dragonfly • Egress • Feuerdrache • Kid Ballistic Lash • Plumb • Starlet • Strong Suit • Terrific Tiger | ||
| Associates: Ace • Black Ice • Cait Sith • Deviate • Fletcher • Miss Pussycakes • Monster Mash | ||
