Ascalon
Contents
History
The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. ~Jules Verne
Surf and Turf
Like most Atlanteans, Ascalon's life began in the ocean. However, his ocean was from a different dimension, one where Atlantis and the Surface were locked in vicious and long drawn out war. There were no Lemurians or Bleak Ones to occupy the Atlantean High Council and with the constant suspicions and perceived slights, Atlantis turned all its focus onto the Surface. Tensions rose and rose to the point of a Cold War, with Atlantis and the Surface seemingly meeting a silent agreement not to strike until a true offense had been issued. The lack of communication between the nations eventually boiled over and war erupted between the land and sea with neither side agreeing on just what sparked the conflict. As the war raged on, both sides began to explore new and employ devastating methods to bring the fighting to an end. Dissidents on both sides began to question the direction the war was taking, insisting that the only outcome would be the mutually assured destruction of all parties.
Ascalon had initially joined the Atlantean army and learned to bring an end to the wickedness of the Surface world, to put a stop to them before they destroyed everything he held dear. As time went on and as he saw more and more of this conflict they had been locked into, he began to think differently. He began to question everything and soon his questions led him to the others that wished an end to the fighting.
Brave New World
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. ~John F. Kennedy
On Top of the World
It took very little time for Ascalon to realize that Millennium City was where he needed to be. As the metahuman capital of the world and the site of rapid growth and change there could be no better place to try and work on the relationship between the two great nations. Upon reaching the surface he was graciously supplied with a dwelling in the Downtown area that he was led to believe was rather exceptional, not that he had the first clue when it came to Surfacer dwellings but he did find the view enjoyable. Unfortunately, coming from a world at war and then being thrown into the world of diplomacy quickly became rather dull to him and with the constant urge to strike his fellow diplomats for being sneaky and manipulative he needed an outlet. Fortunately, in Millennium City it was never difficult to find a battle to fight or people that needed help. With heroes roaming the streets and soaring the skies he made his arrangements to add his strength to the cause and soon began to aid the good people of the Surface. Most of his efforts were centered on Millennium City, where most of the trouble seemed to localize but, he would go where the waterways would take him and lend his aid to any that needed it, even if his lack of understanding of Surface customs has occasionally led to some minor mix-ups.
Vanguard
Eventually, he ran into a winged woman called the Blue Valkyrie that would help him in two very important ways. First and foremost, she would introduce him to the Surface delicacy known as pizza. Secondly, she told him of the group of stalwart heroes called The Ultimate Guardians that he would soon come to join as well. Shortly thereafter they would be confronted by a group of coral golems attacking the Westside shipping yards and he was given the chance to see the team in action. Since then he has considered it a privilege to be a Guardian recruit and has done his best to balance his various duties while still exploring the Surface world in an effort to better understand the people there. If only he could stop breaking their communicators but really, it wasn't his fault they weren't able to design their communicators for underwater environments.
Abilities and Equipment
Powers
Atlantean Physiology: Ascalon possesses physical attributes well beyond that of a normal human and even beyond that of a typical Atlantean. However, these gifts come at a cost and their strength is diminished the longer he's away from the water.
- Superhuman Strength: As an Atlantean, Ascalon possesses vast physical strength, the upper levels of which have not been measured but he has been seen easily lifting shipping containers and even using them as weapons against his enemies.
- Invulnerability: Thanks to the intense pressure under the ocean, Ascalon's skin has grown incredibly dense, granting him a degree of durability that renders small arms fire and even most bladed weapons effectively useless. Additionally, he possesses and increased resistance to freezing environments and crushing forces. This extends to an increased resistance to certain aquatic toxins.
- Super Speed: A life spent swimming has honed his body and coupled with his strength allows him to swim at incredible speeds. On the Surface, this translates into tremendous speed as well as the ability to leap great distances.
- Enhanced Senses: Living underwater necessitates augmented senses in order to navigate in the dark waters. As such, Ascalon's eyes have adapted to see clearly even in very low light environments. His ears are equally developed, allowing him to pick up on sounds that most people wouldn't notice, making him a poor person to whisper around. His sense of smell is also enhanced slightly, not on par with an animal's olfactory skills but superior to a human's.
Hydrokinesis: Ascalon can manipulate water to various ends. Whether it involves taking a cup of water and using it as a projectile or creating a tidal wave from a river. These water constructs tend to be crudely shaped, with more intricate creations requiring more focus than is usually available in a combat situation. He can also use this to augment his strength and speed while in the water.
Skills
Mystic Ability: Because living underwater makes science and technology difficult fields to advance, Atlanteans learned to rely on arcane means to accomplish things. Now, much in the same way that an average person can use a computer without being a technical wizard, Ascalon can use magic in minor ways without being an actual wizard. These skills tend to be minor but do come with an understanding of the mystic arts that can prove useful.
Martial Arts Training: His time spent serving with the Atlantean military trained him in the effective use of his strength in close quarters combat, whether that is using his hands or the ever favored Atlantean Trident.
Equipment
Orichalcum Armor: When he wears armor it tends to made of the rare Atlantean metal. As a result, it is capable of absorbing magical charges, providing limited defense against arcane attacks.
Guardian Comm: Since joining the Ultimate Guardians, he was given one of their comm units to communicate with the rest of the team. Unfortunately, so far he has not received one that can withstand the depths he tends to dive to.
Weaknesses
It's Not The Humidity: It's the heat that bothers him. Like most Atlanteans, Ascalon doesn't do well in high heat environments. Whether it be the dry heat of a desert or the use of fire powers, the proper application of heat can circumvent a good deal of his natural abilities.
Gotta Stay Hydrated: Another common concern for Atlanteans is the need for water, a concern that Ascalon shares. Prolonged absence from water can slowly sap his physical attributes. Fortunately for him, this weakness isn't fatal but if kept from the water long enough it will put him in a weakened state with no greater resilience than a sickly human.
Yeah, It's a Thing: Living under the sea has given him a good many advantages, not one of them being the ability to develop a tolerance to Surface world foods. While seafood is a common part of his diet, Surface foods like red meat and grains tend to be hard on his system. It's not something he likes to admit but it has interfered with his duties before.
