Paladin (Roger Belmont)
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Contents
History
Roger was born in Brooklyn, on a sunny March 16th, 1976. His childhood and general upbrining seemed pleasant. He had a pair of loving parents, who supplied him with a life style fit for a growing boy. If he wanted something it was given to him so long as he earned it, which meant a fair amount of chores and growing up to the standards his parents expected of him. What they couldn't help was that Roger was an incredebly influential young man, and often had to fish him out of situations where he would be easily led astray. With his mother's persistence and his father's wisdom, adding his own energy and off-the-wall look at life, the trio were hard to overlook in a peaceful family. of course, as is the way with the world, such a status quo was due to be shattered by one, terrible moment.
At the age of eighteen, his mother, Andrea, was tragically gunned down in a bank robbery gone awry. While the gunman was caught, and the paramedics were quick on the scene, Andrea couldn't be saved. There are still a few doctors who, to this day, simply cannot figure out why she couldn't be saved considering the fact that they had some of the best condition. His father soon became quite distant, and often angry that he couldn't provide for Roger as well as his wife. Mark's relationship with his son deteriorated, and Roger was soon finding his own way through the world, and, without the guidance of his parents, he found it difficult not to be lead down the wrong path.
For the next few years, Roger would make a variety of 'friends' among the dregs of society, giving into peer pressure and performing crimes such as vandalism and theft. Due to the death of his mother, however, he would outright refuse to use a firearm, and would even bail on various 'big crimes' that would be carried out.
What Roger would often take part in, however, were the street fights. He used it as a great way to excercise his frustration against his father and earn his reputation among the gangs of Brooklyn. During this time, he had spent a lot of time in hospital, with the rest of the gang, loving the fact that he would continuously come back for more, would use whatever money they had to pay for their comrade's bills. This respect didn't last for much longer, however, as the gangs would grow tired of Roger's persistence.
At the age of twenty five, Roger was left for dead after a brutal scuffle with another gang. During this state, Roger was confronted by the Phoenix God, who offered him another chance, but only if he were to enforce the laws of the world. Agreeing, Roger was given power over flame, as well as a sword know as 'The Edge of Mars', which is linked to his soul. He spent many years finding his bearings and learning about his new benefactor, even doing his best to find others in the Phoenix's service.
He then spent a good few years under the guise 'Envoy of the Phoenix', fighting crime in various places around the US. During these years, he didn't really do well as a crime fighter. While he established a name for himself, his lack of proper training meant that he was killed. A lot.
Eventually, the Phoenix God decided he should seek the assistence of Chris Jameson, also known as the Paladin, who would teach him how to be a better hero and fighter. While it was admitted that Chris was of a different god, Sha'lek, he was also one of the few divine warriors in this day and age that would truly appreciate the roles of a paladin, rather than being a zealot or worse.
Travelling to Vibora Bay, Roger found Chris, who taught him with the assistance of his second soul, aptly dubbed Paladin. The training proved effective and soon, Roger became far more powerful in his own right, and even began sharing some of Chris' work, taking on the entire workload when Chris was put into a coma by Nihilum. Roger fought Nihilum on numerous occassions, having died a total of eleven times during the two or three encounters with the villain.
When Chris woke up, he passed the mantle of Paladin onto Roger, who now works tirelessly to maintain the heroic image as it was before.
Personality traits
Roger is a bit more off the wall compared to Chris. He's far more socially adept, but also quite arrogant and egotistical, becoming child-like in some respects. He often makes jokes and insults during a fight, but does have the capacity to take things seriously.
He has a habbit of giving names to people he meets, such as calling Texas Two-step "Wonder Gal". He also uses a variety of catchphrases and odd sayings, such as "what's ceiling side?" as opposed to "what's up?"
Powers
Roger's connection to the Phoenix God permits him the control of fire, utilising it in many circumstances, and even maintaining a high level of control. This power allows his immunity to fire, absorbing it to add to his own strength, and allows him to use projectile attacks, enhanced melee attacks, and self propelled flight. As an extention of the Phoenix, Roger can ressurect himself from death. He will burst into flames if killed, his body becoming a pile of ash. He'll then appear in another burst of flame nearby. This same ability allows a form of regeneration, as body parts will reappear in a burst of flame if removed.
Provided by Chris, Roger has a mental shield, based on the designs of the Academy of Norath.
Roger is a very skilled swordsman, being a master of fencing and eastern single handed sword styles. To utilise this skill, he has a weapon called the 'Edge of Mars', an ornate, single edged sword given to him by the Phoenix. He can summon it at will, and force it to explode, and can use this technique in combat (one such instance was in combat with Nihilum, Roger summoned his sword and mannaged to impale the villain, then detonate the sword).
Current Storylines
not plot lines as of yet. Watch this space!
Friends and Allies
Paladin (Chris Jameson): dubbed 'Speccy Four-eyes' by Roger, Chris was the previous Paladin, previous mentor to Roger and current Highlord to the new Pantheon. The two are very good friends.
Texas Two-Step: Tex and Roger met at the club, when Roger was going around and informing Chris' friends and allies that he was in a coma, and reffered to her as 'Wonder Gal'. The two have worked together when fighting Nihilum, Tex even offer to rid Roger of the corruption Nihilum put in him.
Phyrebird: Meeting at the club, Roger and Greyson became friends, Roger even finding an attraction to the young woman. Reffering to her as Greyson Gal, he finds her light hearted attitude a sort of welcome change to the grim world. Greyson even reffers to Roger as 'Roger Dodger'
Commander US: as before, Roger met Dan when he informed him of Chris' hospitalised status. The two get on well, and Roger calls him 'Dan the Man'.
Author's Note
Like Chris, anything I write for Roger's page is based on memory. If I get anything wrong, that's because my memory sucks ^_^
