Silverblade
Dual American/British
Kendrick Andrew Mason is Silverblade, a world class swordsman with superhuman abilities and fighting skills. Incredibly gifted both mentally and physically, he began training at a very young age to be the ultimate fighting machine. Unknown to him at the time, he was trained in preparation to inherit the Argentus or the Silverblade, a weapon that cost the life of his parents.
Discovering his father’s death was premeditated, Kendrick pursued the perpetrators with relentless conviction and eventually defeated them all. Now fully aware of his true calling, he donned a mask and dedicated his life in bringing criminals to justice.
His former master bestowed upon him great wealth which Kendrick uses to fund his crime fighting activity. Understanding the funds can’t last forever, he wisely invests his wealth in various projects and portfolios. His profitable investments have afforded him enough income to stay financially independent while equipping him with advanced technology.
By most accounts, Kendrick is considered a handsome man and compounded with his great wealth makes him a very eligible bachelor. Still, in order to avoid notice even in his private life, Kendrick keeps a low profile. He donates much in his philanthropic pursuits but keeps his donations anonymous.
Contents
Background
Early Life
Kendrick’s grandfather, Richard Clifton Mason was a lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Since he and his wife could not conceive, they adopted an orphan Korean boy named Jihun whom Richard rescued during his tour. The loving couple raised Jihun, now Michael, as their own child.
Michael Jihun Lee Mason grew up in New York City and eventually became a CIA agent working in Hong Kong to gather valuable Chinese government information during the 1970s. There he met Victoria Clark, a British MI6 operative who was also working in a similar capacity. The two paired up and successfully extracted valuable information for their respective nations. They fell in love and married a few years later. The married couple relocated to Los Angeles. Michael continued his work in the CIA while Victoria found a new position as a British liaison to the agency.
A couple of years later, wanting to raise a family, Victoria retired from her position while Michael reduced his field work with the CIA to concentrate on his family. Kendrick was born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center two years later. Tragically, in a horrible car accident, both Michael and Victoria were killed but Kendrick survived. Kendrick was recovered by Vincent Moreau, a family friend who raised Kendrick as his own son.
Kendrick attended the most prestigious private schools where he excelled in both academics and athletics. Outside of school, Kendrick trained in multiple forms of martial arts and combat styles by Vincent himself. By the time Kendrick graduated high school (as valedictorian), he was an expert in hand to hand combat but his primary skill was handling a sword.
At Stanford University, Kendrick continued his excellence in academics and sports, playing Division 1A football and baseball. He graduated with honors with a degree in Psychology and many expected him to enter professional sports. Instead, he entered the military as a commissioned officer.
Military Life
His superior officers were immediately impressed with Kendrick’s skill and intelligence. He seemed very ambitious and enrolled in the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course at age 22 and successfully completed the course in two years. After serving with the Green Berets, Kendrick was selected to join Delta Force.
During his time with the Green Berets and Delta Force, Kendrick was involved in multiple covert missions throughout the world, in some cases involving superhuman combatants. He achieved the rank of Major and also earned advanced degrees in Psychology and Criminal Psychology. Kendrick was honorably discharged by the U.S. Army after 11 years of service (7 years with Special Forces; 4 years with Delta Force).
Defining Point
A year after leaving the Army, Kendrick lost his longtime mentor. Vincent was found shot and murdered by a group of inner city gang members. Unsatisfied by the police report, Kendrick did his own investigation knowing his old mentor would not have been so easily defeated by common thugs. He soon discovered the truth: the Shadowblade Clan, a highly secret assassin guild had killed Vincent.
Following a set of clues in Vincent’s will, Kendrick found an ancient priceless blade. When Kendrick gripped the blade, everything changed. Michael had discovered the weapon during his mission in Hong Kong when he met Victoria. He knew of the sword’s power and in death he knew the sword would be passed onto a new master. Michael made sure Kendrick would gain possession of the blade and would be prepared to use it wisely and with great effect.
Michael also knew the Shadowblade Clan was after the sword and bonded with Kendrick’s metahuman physiology, his son would be unstoppable. He knew the Clan would eventually learn of the possessor of the sword and knew it was only a matter of time before the Clan would seek him out. With the aid of Vincent, who betrayed the Clan, Michael and Victoria prepared a path for their son. Vincent tricked the Clan in believing he was preparing Kendrick to serve the clan all the while training the child to destroy it. Once the clan discovered Vincent’s true plot, they killed him.
Silverblade
Using his powers and training, Kendrick went on the offensive against the Shadowblades. The assassin clan was led by two masters, the master of the blade and the master of the flame. They would never stop their pursuit of the fabled sword. After multiple encounters and ruthless combat, Kendrick slew both masters knowing there was no other way to stop them.
With his hidden enemies gone, Kendrick made the decision to become a hero. But his experience with the Shadowblades taught him his enemies would always try to use his loved ones as leverage against him. He knew his identity must be secret.
Donning a mask and suit, he dedicated his life to protect the innocent and to bring justice to those who evaded the law. At first, many of his encounters were with supernatural creatures and because his sword was effective against werewolves, the press called him Silverblade. His first true mission involved the capture of a telepathic serial killer named Dollmaker in Los Angeles with the help of the LAPD.
The capture of Dollmaker put Silverblade on the map and he continued to fight crime in Los Angeles and beyond. Eventually he made his way to Millennium City where it now serves as his base of operations.
Appearance
Kendrick is half Asian and half Caucasian, blessed with good genes from both sides. He is generally considered very handsome by most accounts with facial features resembling his mother but having a physique similar to his father. He has a toned, athletic body with moderate musculature due to his constant workout regiment and his superhuman regeneration.
As Silverblade, he wears a custom dark grey stealth body armor suit. Designed by Scott Hughes, the body armor is a flexible weave of super strong material that provides protection to small arms fire and blunt force trauma. His boots are for rugged work and his gloves come with hardened bracers to deflect blows.
On his head is a helmet that looks like a mask but is in reality made of a hard composite material that offers greater protection than his body suit. Goggles cover his eyes and offer him additional tactical information. Slung across his back is the Argent Ferun in its scabbard. A utility strap and belt holds numerous pouches carrying various gadgets for use in the field. Along his back and legs, he carries multiple guns for ranged combat.
Personality
Behind the mask, Silverblade is a cold and calculating warrior. He is quietly efficient and focused, rarely showing any bravado or arrogance. Direct and blunt to most, to those whom he knows and trusts Kendrick softens his personality. Silverblade is renowned for his unwavering moral compass, something villains often try to exploit but fail. His sense of justice is strong and will do what is right even at the cost of great personal sacrifice.
When not donning a mask, Kendrick is a very personable man. He is confident like most of who find success in finance and life but avoids demeaning or belittling others. Intelligent, full of wit and humor, he is quite capable and comfortable in a social setting but prefers more quiet and intimate circles.
His true personality is a mixture of both his masked identity and his public identity. Kendrick is a pragmatic man with a good heart. He is kind and caring with a great deal of empathy towards others. But he understands his particular career prevents him to have deep personal relationships. He has meaningful relationships with his support staff but those were developed out of necessity. A romantic relationship would be a personal choice which would potentially put his work at risk. It is why he has such a hard time committing to anyone because he believes it is just too dangerous. As a result, he sees himself a bit as a martyr, sacrificing his life for the benefit of others.
Powers
Silverblade’s powers are derived from a variety of sources. He is a meta-human capable of supernatural regeneration with superhuman abilities and senses along with the power to infuse his inner Anima in his weapons. His weapon, the Argentus, is a powerful magical artifact. He has trained countless hours perfecting his fighting skills as well as his skills as a detective. He wears an advanced technology stealth suit and employs various high tech gadgets and equipment. All this is by design as it allows him to counter all types of villains and criminals, whether they are magical, technological, specially trained or superhuman.
The Argentus
The Argentus is an ancient blade forged when magical energies on the planet were coalescing. These magical energies combined with the energies of the earth, formed the blade. The sword and the Earth are forever linked; if the planet were to be destroyed, the sword would lose all its powers. Throughout history it took on the shape of an exquisitely crafted blade most suited to its master. Currently, it holds the shape of a single edge sword like a katana and is the primary weapon of the hero Silverblade. Even to the most casual observer the sword seems extraordinary and magical.
The sword is made of undetermined mystic metals and other rare alloys. The weapon is impervious to all damage and cannot be broken. It never seems to lose its keen edge and infused with Anima energy has been documented to easily cut through modern heavy armor plating. Its most impressive power is its ability to take on the material properties of any substance that will be most efficient against a particular foe. For example, against werecreatures, the sword acts as a silver weapon even though the blade is not made of silver.
The sword only functions for its owner. Anyone other than the owner using or holding the blade will find it dull and unbalanced. The magical blade will take on a new master when the old one has died. Once the sword is transferred to a new master, it reshapes itself to best suit its new master.
The Argentus cannot be lost. Even when forcibly separated from its owner, it can be called and retrieved. When called, the blade will return to the hand of the master through speedy levitation and/or teleportation. Distance is not a factor and the sword is capable of crossing interdimensional planes.
The Argentus cannot harm its owner. No matter how hard someone tries, the owner of the blade cannot be cut or stabbed by the blade, even if it requires the sword to teleport away from its current position. If the weapon is burning hot or freezing cold, the master of the blade can hold it without harm.
Regeneration
Silverblade’s meta-human physiology provides him with an accelerated healing factor. His body will rapidly heal him of any wound or damage at astonishing rates. Even damage to vital organs or amputations will eventually be regenerated without reattachment. Short of complete annihilation or disintegration or extreme cold (see weaknesses below), he will eventually fully heal although it may take a long time. As a result he is unable to have piercings or tattoos as they are eventually healed or absorbed.
His regenerative powers also make him highly resistant to disease, fatigue, drugs, alcohol, toxins and other influences that may weaken him physically or mentally. In addition, his healing factor has stunted his aging. Silverblade has not aged since his 30th birthday.
He rarely tires as his body cells are constantly rebuilding. Silverblade can survive without breathing for extended amounts of time and can survive hostile environments such as space without the aid of protective suits for a short time before being forced into a state of hibernation.
Extraordinary Physical Attributes
Physically, Silverblade can perform abilities well beyond peak human potential. He is super strong (lift around 10 tons) and is blindingly fast and agile with a reaction time equally superhuman. He is capable of leaping long distances and his body and skeleton is superhumanly durable and resilient to absorb punishment of hard impact from such travel without damage. This durability also functions in combat where wounds that would typically cripple or incapacitate most people would just be shrugged off by Silverblade.
His superhuman regeneration has also affected his mental capacity. Since his brain cells are supercharged and no longer deteriorate, Kendrick is able to process and retain information at a superhuman level. It is reason why he has mastered so many combat skills along with his other advanced academic knowledge in such a relative short time.
Extraordinary Senses
Silverblade’s senses are also beyond the parameters of normal human beings. All his senses are highly acute making him very intuitive and aware of his surroundings. He can focus upon a single sense making it even more sensitive and powerful. He is capable of fighting in complete darkness using his sense of hearing and smell to provide him with tactical information. These super senses can be elevated to superhuman ability or reduced to average human levels at will.
Anima Infusion
Silverblade can transfer his inner energy he calls Anima into his weapons and devices. Believed to be a residual effect due to his sword’s bond to his metahuman body, Silverblade can transfer his inner energy called Anima into his weapons and devices. Weapons charged with Anima often give off a soft blue glow. Infused weapons perform at superhuman levels. Depending upon the level of charge, his sword can cut through heavy plating or reinforced armor.
To avoid fatalities, Silverblade uses specialized rubber bullets meant to incapacitate foes but if the situation demands it, he can charge his ammunition with Anima that will provide enhanced range, armor piercing ability and even explosive effects among others.
Weaknesses
Although Silverblade has some great powers and abilities, he also has some specific weaknesses that can be exploited by a clever villain. These weaknesses are not common knowledge and to date only one of Silverblade’s nemesis (Dollmaker) know of his vulnerabilities and she would never make them public knowledge.
Frost Vulnerability
Generally speaking, temperatures above -20 degrees Celsius have no effect upon Silverblade’s healing factor. But extreme cold or frost below -20 degrees Celsius will dramatically affect his regeneration. Cold or frost based attacks slow down his regeneration and can incapacitate him. At a theoretical -150 degrees Celsius, his healing factor shuts down completely. At that temperature or lower, Silverblade can be killed like any human being (which also means, since he is vulnerable to that temperature, he would die almost instantly). Encasing Silverblade in ice or other cold substance will place him in a state of hibernation and he will not be able to function until the frozen barrier is removed.
Sensory Overload
Because Silverblade has highly acute senses, they can be used against him. Due to his masterful control of his powers, he can adjust the sensitivity of his senses but if he is caught unaware or off-guard, he can be disoriented or even rendered unconscious by overloading his senses.
Right or Wrong
Silverblade has an unbreakable moral compass with a strong sense of right and wrong. He will not settle for a questionable solution due to convenience. He is a man of his convictions and a clever villain may be able to exploit this trait. But he is not against killing although he tries to avoid it and generally is considered a final option.
Skills/Abilities
Kendrick has had a wealth of training since he was a child. He was born and raised to be a very effective and dangerous field operative. Because of his excellent focus, intelligence, athleticism, drive and determination, Kendrick was an ideal student and as a result has a collection of skills and talents that few have in the world.
Martial Arts
Kendrick trained in martial arts at a very young age. As a teenager, he was privately trained by a very talented and knowledgeable teacher. He has mastered a wide range of forms and styles but his training with a sword is peerless. He can easily be considered one of the finest swordsmen in the world.
His training in a multitude of martial arts also affected his mental fortitude. Kendrick has an iron will making him resilient against mind control. His superior senses provide him a level of resistance against illusions and other mind tricks.
Academics
Kendrick attended Stanford University and received a degree in Psychology. He continued his studies and has advanced degrees in Psychology and Criminal Psychology making him a keen investigator and profiler. In addition, he has extensively studied chemistry, physics and engineering.
Besides English, he is fluent in Korean, Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish and Russian. He also is well versed in world cultures and can blend in almost anywhere.
Military
As a former U.S. Army Special Forces officer and later in his career a part of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Delta Force), Kendrick is a highly trained combat soldier. He is a superb marksman and very experienced with modern weaponry. His specialty was counter-terrorism, infiltration and hostage extraction. In addition to his Special Forces and Delta Force training, Kendrick is also a very skilled pilot with experience piloting helicopters, jet fighters and heavy armored vehicles.
Equipment
Silverblade uses a number of high tech equipment to augment his powers and skills. His general set of equipment that he carries is listed below. On special assignment, he might have additional tools for a specific purpose or advantage. All his equipment is designed by Scott Hughes.
Stealth Combat Armor
Comprised of a unique weave of specialized polymer blend, the suit is light, flexible and resilient. Its molecular structure is incredibly stable preventing tears and ruptures. It easily fends off small arms fire and edged attacks. The bonding structure also absorbs kinetic energy and spreads it across the suit giving the wearer great protection against blunt force trauma. A secondary lining provides extreme temperature resistance and insulation that also functions against electrical shock.
The suit also comes with arm bracers and shin guards which are made of specialized composite material capable of resisting heavy damage. They are used for blocking and deflecting attacks. Housed under the arm bracers is a miniature computer linked to his helmet.
Advanced Optics Mask
Silverblade wears a rigid full mask with matching goggles. Because the mask is rigid, it offers significantly more protection than his suit. In addition, it contains a secondary layer of psionic dampening material that provides extra protection against mental intrusions. Unfortunately it also prevents benign telepathic communication as well. The goggles have advanced optics that allows telescopic, full spectrum, thermal imaging vision. It can also record point of view video and audio data. The helmet contains radio, satellite and laser communication systems.
Secondary Weapons
Silverblade will use equipment that is most suited for the job. He isn’t particularly picky but he does have certain preferences.
Standard Combat Equipment:
- A pair of Sig Sauer P226 MK25 automatic pistols
- Heckler & Koch MP7A1 sub-machine gun
- Mossberg 590 pump action combat shotgun
- Heckler & Koch HK416 assault rifle
- KAC M110 semi-automatic sniper rifle
All firearms can use Anima charged ammunition for additional effect.
Silverblade also carries numerous grenades of varying effect due to Anima charge. Explosive, smoke, EMP, concussive effects are some of the typical functions.
Support Characters
Silverblade can’t do it alone. He has a few people in his life that he trusts implicitly. Not only are they there to offer him emotional and mental support but they also provide valuable knowledge and skills that allow Silverblade to be the hero he is today.
All these people know Silverblade’s true identity and background. They each provide value skills and resources to aid him in the field.
These people are also the main reason why Silverblade guards his secret identity fiercely. He would tear apart the world in order to save and protect these few individuals and would gladly sacrifice his own life for theirs. They are his greatest vulnerability but any villain who would use them as bargaining chips would bring the full wrath of Silverblade upon them.
”Minerva” Chloe Fontaine (NPC)
In her public role, Chloe is Kendrick’s personal assistant. As Minerva or Minnie, she is his mission guide and operator. Minerva is an extraordinary hacker and computer specialist who works behind the scenes, collecting information and data for Silverblade while he is on the field. Silverblade’s comlink communicates directly to her station and often, she is his sole companion during his long nights patrolling the city.
Chloe is an attractive young lady with flowing dark hair and blue eyes in her mid-twenties. She is a French national and speaks French, English and Italian fluently. She has a mischievous personality and keeps Silverblade entertained with her sarcasm and snarky remarks. Chloe also flirts mercilessly with Scott.
”Vulcan” Scott Hughes (NPC)
Scott is a highly gifted engineer and programmer. He is responsible for Silverblade’s high tech gadgets and equipment. When Minerva is unavailable, Vulcan takes her place as Silverblade’s mission controller and operator.
Scott is a geek at heart. He loves science fiction, fantasy and plays video games. He does not look like a stereotypical geek though. Silverblade’s encouragement and influence drove Scott to the gym and he is very physically fit. At a healthy 6 feet tall with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes, Scott could easily be mistaken for a jock. Unfortunately he is very socially awkward. Graduating from MIT at the tender age of 16 prevented him from developing socially.
He is slightly older than Chloe and he continues to be her favorite punching bag with her flirtations and snarky comments. But deep down they are good friends, dedicated to Silverblade’s cause and most likely attracted to one another but unable to express them openly.
”Apollo” Leonard Coles (NPC)
Leonard Coles handles all of Kendrick’s business assets. When Vincent Moreau was killed, Kendrick was able to lean upon his shoulder. Coles never had children of his own and sees Kendrick as one of his adopted children.
Rogue's Gallery
RAIL
If Silverblade had a doppelganger, it would be Rail. Part of the Rapid Acquisition Interception Liquidation Program, Thomas Doyle is a product of a highly secret and highly illegal wetworks project conducted by a rogue outfit of British Intelligence. Enhanced by nanomachines and injected with a super metabolism serum, Rail is physically equal to Silverblade in every way. Rail has superhuman abilities and senses; he also possesses a regenerative healing power similar to Silverblade. Unlike Silverblade, he does not have vulnerability to frost nor his ability to infuse anima.
Due to the serum, Rail requires at least 10,000 calories per day in order to maintain his superhuman abilities. Rail has access to special protein bars, one of which can provide a full week worth of calories needed to maintain his powers. Failure to meet the requirements would strip Rail of his powers until he consumes his minimal calorie intake.
Rail uses a wide assortment of weapons and firearms to conduct his work. He is a hired killer that cannot be bargained with; he will always finish his contract even if offered a counter offer. His signature weapon is a high tech black and red claymore. The sword emits a thin force field that prevents the blade from breaking and also makes it razor sharp. Coupled with Rail’s superhuman strength, he can easily cut through heavy armor plating.
DOLLMAKER
Dr. Aimee Farrell was once a promising research scientist before a freak lab accident disfigured her beautiful face. The trauma of the accident, compounded by her dysfunctional childhood, brought upon her insanity. Unfortunately, the accident also granted her tremendous telepathic and mind control powers which she used as a tool for vengeance.
Silverblade encountered her in Los Angeles and it was his very first criminal case as a hero. With his detective skills, he managed to find her but was captured. Using her psionic skills and her chemistry training, she managed to siphon a portion of his healing factor allowing her to heal her face. The side effect of the procedure also linked their minds and as a result, Dr. Farrell and Silverblade have full knowledge of each other up to that point in time.
She was captured with the help of the LAPD but later escaped. Dr. Farrell is still very insane and knows of Silverblade’s true identity but will never reveal or acknowledge this information. Her twisted mind fell in love with Kendrick during their mind link and her only goal is to claim him for herself.
She has been diagnosed as criminally insane and will do almost anything to gain Silverblade’s attention. Ironically, she also tends to subconsciously sabotage her criminal plans to garner Silverblade’s approval.
SHADOWBLADES
The original Shadowblade Clan was an ancient society dedicated to controlling the world behind the shadows. Their goal was to retrieve the Argentus but missed their opportunity when Kendrick’s father claimed it first. Once they learned of Michael’s possession, they assassinated him and his family but Kendrick survived due to his meta-human physiology.
Vincent Moreau, a former Shadowblade assassin, saved Kendrick and hid him from the clan, training the child in preparation to wield the sword. The clan eventually traced the sword to Vincent when they learned he and Kendrick’s parents had prepared for their inevitable death. Vincent was murdered but not before he passed the sword to Kendrick. Kendrick destroyed the clan by defeating both leaders in combat.
The new Shadowblades are led by Drakken. He knows of the power of the Argentus and seeks to possess it. Like the previous clan, the Shadowblades have two leaders, the Shadowblade and the Shadowflame. Drakken is the Shadowblade and seeks to appoint another as the new Shadowflame after the death of the previous Shadowflame. Unlike the previous clan, the new group is comprised of meta-human assassins. They are unaware of Silverblade’s true identity and only seek to claim the sword he possesses.
THRYM
Thyrm is a fae, a troll to be precise. He is immensely powerful and due to his many millennia of war, is an incredible warrior. He carries a magical double headed axe that can cut through steel and has frost-like abilities. He cannot be killed permanently outside the Fae realm.
Thyrm was defeated and banished back to his world almost ten years ago. As a high ranking noble of the Unseelie Court, he has a significant standing army and almost unlimited resources in his plane of existence. He bids his time to avenge his disgraceful defeat at the hands of Silverblade.
Trivia
- Kendrick is a classically trained pianist and can also sing and play the guitar.
- He is a car and motorcycle enthusiast and has an impressive collection of classic cars and motorcycles.
- He drinks beer and other types of liquor even though alcohol has no effect on him.
- Due to his work, he is rarely committed to any serious romantic relationships but he does have a tendency to be attracted to blondes.
Notes
- Unless discovered some way, almost all the information provided on this page is purely OOC, except for Kendrick’s public personae. Please do not metagame or godmode using information on this page if you wish to roleplay with me. If you think your character may know some information (former spy, soldier…etc), then let me know and we can discuss what information may be available.
- Due to the limitations of the game, Silverblade is seen as fighting with his katana at all times. He has enough superpowers, as well as his training, that typical thugs and low grade villains do not pose a real threat to him. In these cases, he would simply incapacitate them with his martial arts skills and not use the blade at all. The blade is only used when he encounters foes that are very powerful requiring a powerful weapon to defeat them. In all cases, he tries very hard not to kill anyone but he understands sometimes it is unavoidable.
- Silverblade is inspired by characters like Batman, Wolverine, Captain America, Black Widow, Snake Eyes, Miyamoto Musashi and Blade. He is also modeled after some of my old fantasy characters from my tabletop days who typically at some point could be recognized by a familiar weapon of power.
