Serpent Master

Serpent Master
Player: @spartan62893
[[Image:|300px|]]
Biographical Data
Real Name:	James Douglas Barker
Known Aliases:	S-VIPER-001, Ouroboros, Basilisk,
Gender:	Male
Species:	Human
Ethnicity:	Caucasian
Place of Birth:	Stamford, CT
Base of Operations:	Mobile
Relatives:
Characteristics
Age:	78
Height:
Weight:
Eyes:	Blue
Hair:	Brown
Complexion:	Fair
Physical Build:	Slight Bulk
Physical Features:	Unassuming
Status
Fame:	██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ ██ Global
Alignment:	LG LN LE NG TN NE CG CN CE
Identity:	Secret
Years Active:	52
Citizenship:	American
Occupation:	Metahuman VIPER Operative, Accountant
Education:	Some High School
Marital Status:	Single
Known Powers and Abilities
Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Durability, Advanced Regenerative Capabilities, Enhanced Mental Functioning
Equipment and Paraphernalia
Custom Heavy Armor, Snakeskin Stealth Suit, VB-A6 "Warhammer" Rifle, 2 VB-S2XD "Waterfall" Pistols

Physical Attributes
	Strength			Weapon
	Durability			Armor
	Speed			Reflexes
	Resistance			Stamina
	Dexterity			Agility
	Combat			Regeneration

Non-Physical Attributes
	Energy			Psionics
	Telepathy			Willpower
	Sorcery			Technology
	Intelligence			Knowledge
	Charisma			Bravery
MaekadaBox created by @Maekada

Basic Information

Serpent Master is among VIPER's most dangerous operatives. While he certainly possesses superhuman strength, endurance, and speed, these are not the largest reasons he is so feared. It is also not because he possesses an intelligence far greater than that of most humans. It is the combination of these traits in an individual who is virtually impossible to pick out of a crowd. Though his actions, VIPER has been able to learn much about threats to its operations.

When not operating as a spy, Serpent Master is and extremely dangerous combatant. His combination of superhuman attributes, training, and experience allow him to combat metahumans technically above his "weight" class. As befitting his advanced mental capacity, he is never without several plans of attack and escape. His tendency to spend hours reviewing footage of Superhero fights allows him an uncanny ability to predict the actions they will likely take. If there is one flaw in his operations, at least in the eyes of VIPER's leadership, it is that he has a tendency to not kill his foes, with the exception when expressly ordered.

His equipment is among the most advanced man-portable technologies VIPER has developed. His blasters are more powerful than those used by VIPER's rank and file. His suit possesses advanced stealth and sensor baffling technology. His armor is made of VIPER's own Viperium super metal. He also carries a number of gadgets to assist him in battle. The most common are Frag, Smoke, Gas, Cryo, Anti-Invisibility, and Psionic Interference Grenades, along with a "Shell Cracker" for heavily armored individuals. He of course carries a BEST kit and a Fang Knife.

Biography

James Douglas Barker was born in 1934 to Harold Barker and an unknown woman. While his father was a skilled con man, he was also a good father by most standards, he was always able to put food on the table, wasn't a drunk, and was happy to have a son. Even from a young age, Harold would include James in his schemes, teaching him firsthand how to part people from their money. Intelligent even before being augmented by VIPER, James was able to increase the average yield of the various cons. This continued for well over a decade, he and his father moving all over the US. Eventually, his father reluctantly decided that James needed to make his own path and the two parted on good terms in 1954. This would be the last time he saw his father.

James went on to find work in the underworld, most frequently as a bookkeeper, but on occasion we would work as an enforcer. He was good enough at both that he gained a reputation as someone who could make things happen. This is what brought him to VIPER's attention. When an individual representing VIPER offered him a position James accepted, correctly figuring that he would have been killed had he refused. James was quick to adapt, as usual, to the VIPER lifestyle, even if he some aspects less than ideal. He proved to be a competent agent, receiving high marks in accuracy and tactical decisions.

His first notable action as a VIPER agent was during "Green Monday" on August 22, 1962. He was placed in command of a squad tasked with the assassination of an Arms Dealer who refused to do business with the emergent VIPER. His operation was a resounding success for VIPER, not only was the dealer killed with no VIPER losses, but he also secured a large shipment of arms. After "Green Monday" he would continue to serve VIPER admirably, the failures largely due to the interference of costumed heroes, both powered and not. During this period he was placed on VIPER's think tank that developed some of the anti-metahuman tactics they are known for. The first major test of the new Superhuman Combat Specialists was during Operation Coil, while the overall operation was a failure, the SCS teams proved fared far better than the rest of VIPER's teams.

For his service, James was "offered" a place in Project S-VIPER, one of VIPER's earlier Super Soldier programs in 1969. The aim of the program was to create Agents capable of directly combating highly powered individuals or teams of metahuman individuals. With the exception of James, every participant of the program either died during augmentation, during recovery, or when training to use their enhanced abilities. As a successful VIPER super soldier, James was given a new code name "Serpent Master".

Other Information

Personality

Despite being a highly dangerous VIPER agent, Serpent Master is somewhat light hearted and easy going. There is very little that someone can do to cause him to fly off the handle or hold a grudge. The few people that have earned his animosity are typically the type of person that even VIPER considers extreme.

As with most members of the American VIPER, he has a great dislike of magic. This dislike is even more pronounced when dealing with villainous occultists, especially members of DEMON.

As he was part of VIPER's response to the Demonflame Incident Serpent Master has some friendly ties to a few hero teams, typically feeding them information that if acted upon will be helpful to both parties. On even rarer occasions he has worked with heroes against a greater danger. Given that VIPER tends to frown on such alliances, he is very secretive with his actions.